Former football star Robinho, known for his stints at clubs like Manchester City, AC Milan, and Real Madrid, has been arrested in Brazil after a court decision this week authorized the transfer of his nine-year prison sentence from Italy. The sentence stems from a 2013 conviction in Italy for rape.

The 40-year-old player will undergo a medical examination and a custody hearing before being sent to prison, according to police statements. Earlier attempts by Robinho's legal team to secure a habeas corpus, allowing him to remain free until appeals were exhausted, were denied by Supreme Court Justice Luiz Fux.

Robinho's lawyers are seeking a new trial in Brazil based on the grounds of national sovereignty. However, a Brazilian high court ruled that he must serve his sentence in his home country, following his conviction in Italy in 2017 for his involvement in a group sexual assault.

Judges on Brazil's Superior Court of Justice voted 9-2 to validate the conviction, which had led to a nine-year prison term in Italy. The decision came after Italy sought Robinho's imprisonment in Brazil, as the country does not extradite its nationals.

While the Brazilian court did not reopen discussions about the rape conviction itself, it focused solely on the validity of the Italian sentence in Brazil. Robinho's arrest marks a significant development in a case that has spanned over a decade and involved multiple legal proceedings across different countries.