sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Robinho Leaves Santos Less Than A Week After Signing Following Huge Backlash From Sponsor

Robinho Leaves Santos Less Than A Week After Signing Following Huge Backlash From Sponsor

Robinho was convicted of rape in 2017 but re-joined his former club for a third time.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

Robinho has left Santos less than a week after signing following huge backlash from fans and sponsors alike.

The Brazilian re-joined his boyhood side for a third time last weekend despite being convicted of rape by an Italian court in 2017.

He was sentenced to nine years in prison after allegedly being involved in the gang rape of an Albanian woman.

Santos posted an official statement to Twitter which read: "Santos and Robinho have by mutual agreement resolved to suspend the contract signed on 10 October so that player can concentrate exclusively on his court defence in Italy."


It comes after dentistry firm Orthopride threatened to sever ties with the club 'out of respect to female customers.'

Orthopride chief operating officer Richard Adam told Globo Esporte: "We have enormous respect for Santos' history. But at this point, we have decided to terminate the sponsorship contract.

"Our audience is mostly female and, out of respect for the women who buy our products, we had to make that decision.

"We want to make it clear that we were not previously informed about the signing of Robinho, we were taken by surprise by the news over the weekend."

Image
PA

Robinho took to Instagram on Friday and explained per trtworld.com: "To Santos fans and people who like me, rest assured I am going to prove my innocence to you."

The 36-year-old had a five month deal with Santos and was set to earn a monthly salary of just 1,500 Brazilian reals - which equates to £207.

It's £50-per-week and a far cry from the £160,000 he was on when he made a shock £32.5 million deadline day move to Manchester City in 2008.

Santos president Orlando Rollo defended the winger when he signed and stressed the club are against violence towards women.

Image
PA

He begun: "From the information I have, there is no final decision by the Italian Judiciary.

"The process is still ongoing, and will be heard in other instances.

"Santos has historically always been against any kind of violence, especially violence against women, and will continue to be."

Featured Image Credit: Robinho/Instagram & Santos/Twitter

Topics: Football News, Santos, Brazilian football, Football, Robinho