Disgraced ex-footballer Robinho has vehemently denied allegations that he enjoys special privileges in prison, branding them as 'lies'. The former Manchester City forward, now aged 41, is currently serving a nine-year sentence after being convicted of rape by an Italian court in 2017. Despite numerous appeals and attempts by the Italian court to extradite Robinho, who continues to proclaim his innocence, he was found guilty of participating in the gang rape of a woman at a Milan nightclub in 2013.

The former Brazil international only began serving his lengthy sentence in his home country in March 2024. The father-of-three is incarcerated at Dr Jose Augusto Cesar Salgado Prison in the state of Sao Paulo, more commonly known as P2 Tremembe. This facility has been dubbed 'Brazil's prison for famous people', housing 430 inmates in cells varying in size from nine to 15 square metres, each capable of accommodating up to six people. Robinho reportedly requested a prison transfer recently, which was rejected by Brazilian courts.

Now, the Taubate Community Council, a non-profit organisation established by Judge Sueli Zeraik to support the...