Brazil and Argentina have always gifted the world with some iconic and legendary players. However, this time the football in the country is in the news for the wrong reasons.
Brazilian authorities took former soccer star Robinho into custody on Thursday. This follows a court decision this week that allows him to serve his nine-year rape sentence in Brazil, transferred from Italy. On the other hand, three Argentina players, accused in the alleged rape of a sports journalist in a hotel room this month were placed under house arrest Thursday. The three players are Braian Cufre, Jose Florentin and Abiel Osorio.
Robinho, along with five others, was convicted of gang-raping a young woman in Milan in 2013. The conviction went through multiple appeals in Italy, culminating in a final confirmation in 2022.
A Brazilian court recently decided to enforce the Italian sentence within their own country, without revisiting the details of the case itself.
Meanwhile, three Argentinian footballers from the top-tier club Velez Sarsfield were placed under house arrest this Thursday. They arebeing investigated for the alleged rape of a sports journalist earlier this month.
A judge ordered the three players to remain confined to their homes for 90 days. A fourth player was released after posting bail. All four were suspended by their team. The alleged assault reportedly occurred in a hotel room after the journalist was invited by one of the players.
The journalist, a 24-year-old woman, claims she was raped by the three players currently under house arrest. A fourth player, granted bail, is accused of a lesser offense.
Prosecutors are seeking rape charges against two players, while a third faces accusations of sexual abuse. The player released on bailis considered a secondary participant.