Brasilia, March 21 (PL) - The Superior Court of Justice (STJ) ordered former soccer player Robinho to serve in Brazil the nine-year sentence imposed on him by the Justice in Italy for gang rape.   According to the majority decision of the special court, the sentence must be served immediately.

The transgression was committed in 2013 in a nightclub in Milan, when the Brazilian defended the team with the same name of the city.

The score of the vote was nine to two in favor of serving the penalty in national territory.   According to the vote of the rapporteur, Francisco Falcão, the Federal Justice should be immediately notified to serve the punishment in a closed regime.

The majority agreed with this position, which became the subject of debate among the ministers.

The ex-athlete's lawyer, José Eduardo Alckmin, affirmed that he will file a habeas corpus (appeal) to try to prevent the arrest, which must be immediate, as determined by the court.

He also announced that he will appeal to the STJ and the Federal Supreme Court against the approval of the Italian sentence.

During the hearing, the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) also argued that the former soccer player should be held in the South American giant.