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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Robinho jailed for nine years in Brazil for rape</li><li>Dorival Junior calls Robinho 'fantastic person'</li><li>Brazil coach criticised for his comments</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Brazil coach Dorival Junior blasted for labelling convicted rapist Robinho 'a fantastic person' ahead of England friendly

Former <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/real-madrid-man-city-robinho-ordered-nine-year-prison-sentence-rape-brazil/blta9b20987fc22cd6a#csd6b4d6e478a22ba6" target="_blank">Real Madrid and Manchester City forward Robinho has been jailed for nine years</a> after being ordered to serve the prison sentence in Brazil, having been found guilty in an Italian court in 2017. Brazil coach Dorival Junior, who is currently in England preparing for a friendly at Wembley, has spoken out about the situation and attracted criticism for his comments about the former forward.

WHAT HAPPENED?

He said: "As the coach of the national team, I have an obligation to speak out. First, I think it's a very delicate situation. Robinho was my player [at Santos in 2010], a fantastic person, such a professional ... I didn't have the opportunity to work with Daniel [Alves], but we all know his story within football. It's a difficult time for us to express any and all situations."First, I think about the families of the people involved. Especially the victims involved in these episodes, which happen in our country and around the world and which, suddenly, are not addressed. They are hushed up because people don't have a voice. If there was a type of crime that was proven, it must be penalized."As much as it hurts my heart to talk about this, about a person with whom I had an exceptional relationship, I care much more for the victims, for the families, as well as for their families too. I know how painful it must have been for each of them to go through a moment like this."I don't wish this on anyone, I feel for everything they will go through from then on in their lives, everyone who is involved, what I can do is help them with prayers, nothing more."

WHAT DORIVAL JUNIOR SAID

Brazil midfielder Ary Borges responds to the coach's words on <a href="https://twitter.com/_aryborges/status/1771277988253802729" target="_blank">social media</a>: “This is unbelievable, it really is."Palmeiras president Leila Pereira has also spoken out about how the media has handled the rape convictions of Robinho and Dani Alves. She told UOL: "Nobody says anything, but I, as a woman here at the head of the delegation, have to take a stand on the cases of Robinho and Daniel Alves. It's a slap in the face for all of us women, especially the case of Daniel Alves, who paid for (his) freedom. It is important for me to position myself. Each case of impunity is the seed of the next crime."Commentator Natalia Lara applauded Pereira's speech and also criticised Dorival's words in an interview with Sport TV. She said: "Dorival Junior’s speech hurts my heart. Because there is no 'if'. Robinho was sentenced to 9 years in prison. There is no 'if', Dorival. He was convicted. Brazilian football needs to stop being lax and talking about rape. Because it hurts the victim's skin. It doesn't hurt for you, Dorival. It hurts for us, it's a slap in the face, as Leila Pereira so rightly said. Yes, she has the courage to speak, something you didn’t have.”Brazil midfielder Kerolin also spoke out in a post on<a href="http://twitter.com/kerolinnicolii/status/1770905535157510191"> X:</a> "How long will women continue to suffer these and other types of crimes and the people who commit them go unharmed?!?!"

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT DORIVAL JUNIOR

Robinho's rape conviction follows that of former Brazil international Dani Alves. The ex-Barcelona star was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/former-barcelona-star-dani-alves-sentenced-four-years-jail-after-being-found-guilty-of-sexual-assault/blt072303227d66cc51" target="_blank">sentenced to four years and six months in jail in February 2024</a> after being found guilty of raping a woman in a nightclub. Alves has appealed the conviction and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/disgraced-former-barcelona-player-dani-alves-asks-released-prison-bail-awaits-final-sentencing-sexual-assault-case/blt2602068bd3df3160#cs59a0fa4675aff4a2" target="_blank">will be released if he can pay bail of €1m (£853,000/$108m) and give up his passports</a>.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Alves currently remains in jail with his bail yet to be paid. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/neymar-s-father-pay-barcelona-dani-alves-eur1-million-bail/bltcf77bd8ae4b383db" target="_blank">Neymar's father has denied reports</a> he will pay for the disgraced Barcelona star to be released. Meanwhile, Robinho has been taken into custody to begin his nine-year sentence but could still appeal to Brazil's supreme court, as reported by <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/robinho-ex-man-city-footballer-will-serve-nine-year-prison-sentence-in-brazil-for-rape-13098947" target="_blank">Sky News</a>.

WHAT NEXT

Brazil coach Dorival Junior blasted for labelling convicted rapist Robinho 'a fantastic person' ahead of England friendly | Goal.com US

Brazil boss Dorival Junior has come in for criticism for praising Robinho after the former forward was jailed for rape.

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