Former Brazil international, Robinho, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for alleged involvement in the gang rape of a woman in 2013.
An Italian court ruled that the former AC Milan player and five other Brazilians assaulted the 22 years Albanian woman, after plying her with alcohol at a nightclub.
Robinho, who has won 100 caps for Brazil, was absent from court but pleaded not guilty through his lawyer.
The sentence will be put on hold until the appeal process is completed.
Robinho started his career at Santos before joining Real Madrid where he won two La Liga titles in four seasons.
He became the most expensive player in English football after he joined Manchester City from Real Madrid for £32.5 million in 2008.
He however found it hard to adapt to the Premier League and was sold to AC Milan for £15 million two years later after a loan at Santos.
He won the Serie A title during his spell at AC Milan during which the offence occurred, before returning to Santos for another loan deal in August 2014.
Robinho joined the list of big players who made their way into the big spending Chinese Super League, signing with Guangzhou Evergrande in 2015.
He moved back to Brazil, joining Atletico Mineiro on a two year deal after his six months deal expired in China.
The 33 years old Brazilian has a right to two appeals. The victim is also to receive €60,000 as compensation for the crime she suffered.
Robinho was also accused of raping a university student in a Leeds nightclub in January 2009. It was however announced in April of that year that he would not face charges.
