ISTANBUL

Former Brazilian footballer Robson De Souza, popularly known as Robinho, who was sentenced to nine years in prison for his involvement in a gang rape of a woman in Italy, has been arrested.

According to Brazilian media reports, the country's top court denied Robinho's request for a stay of his arrest, ruling that the detention order could be maintained.

Following the verdict, federal police arrested the 40-year-old at his home in Santos.

He was one of six men found guilty of assaulting a woman in an Italian nightclub in 2013, while he was playing for AC Milan.

An Italian court found the footballer guilty in 2017.

Robinho made appearances for top teams during his career, including Real Madrid and Manchester City.

The 40-year-old Brazilian also appeared in 100 matches for the Brazilian national team, scoring 28 goals.

*Writing by Selcuk Bugra Gokalp