5 footballers who have been investigated for sexual assault

These five footballers have been placed under close investigation for sexual assaults across different leagues.

Given the sensitivity of the issue of sexual assault, most footballers' identities in England to be precise are often protected until a case with evidence has been made. Sexual assault allegations have continued to plague the football scene raising more questions as well as eyebrows as to what could be the causative agent for this challenge and sometimes how much leeway footballers are getting away with.

Several of football's biggest names have come under allegations of sexual assault in recent years and we have listed the 5 footballers who have been arrested on these allegations including those who have been found guilty and sentenced to jail.

5. Adam Johnson

In 2015, former Manchester City football player Adam Johnson was charged with grooming and engaging in sexual acts with a minor. Reports suggest that Johnson, who was playing with Sunderland at the time of the incident, had started communicating with a 15-year-old girl on social media in 2014. Johnson's partner was pregnant at the time, and he had begun interacting with the girl during this period. A few weeks later, Johnson ended up kissing the teenager, which led to his arrest and charges against him.

After pleading guilty to one count of grooming and one count of sexual activity with a minor, Johnson was sentenced to six years in prison in 2016. He was also required to pay legal fees worth £50,000 to the prosecutors who convinced the jury to convict him.

Following his conviction, Johnson was released from Prison after serving half of his sentence in 2019. It was a high-profile case that had a significant impact on Johnson's career, personal life, and reputation as a professional footballer as well as the victim who had been underage at the time,

4. Mason Greenwood

In January 2022, Manchester United's Mason Greenwood found himself embroiled in one of the most widely discussed sexual assault allegation cases in recent football memory. Arrested on suspicion of assault and coercive behaviour, the England international's situation took a unique turn as he remained in a relationship with Harriet Robson, the accuser of the physical assault.

Robson publicly shared footage of an altercation with Greenwood, along with audio recordings suggesting his involvement in forceful sexual activity. Despite this, prosecutors opted not to pursue charges against Greenwood, citing the withdrawal of key witnesses' testimony.

Since then, the couple has welcomed a child together and become engaged, while Greenwood continues his football career in La Liga on loan from Manchester United.

3. Robinho

Robinho, a Brazilian winger who was once celebrated for his flamboyant skills on the pitch, played for top clubs like Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Manchester City. He was the first superstar name to sign for the blue half of Manchester. However, his career ended in controversy when he was accused of sexual assault.

In 2017, Robinho was sentenced to nine years in prison for his involvement in the gang rape of an intoxicated woman alongside five other assailants while he was still playing for AC Milan. This sentence was upheld by an Italian Court of Appeal in 2022.

However, Robinho managed to avoid serving the sentence because he lived in Brazil at the time of the sentencing, and Brazil's extradition laws prevented him from being extradited to Italy. He continued to live in Sao Paulo for the next seven years, despite the international arrest warrant issued against him by Italy. In March 2024, the Special Court of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) in Brazil ordered Robinho's arrest and detention, and he was subsequently taken into custody. The court decided that he should serve the nine-year sentence for the crime of gang rape, following a conviction by the Italian justice system.

2. Santi Mina

Santi Mina, a former forward for Celta Vigo, received a four-year prison sentence after being found guilty of sexual assault. Mina was charged with sexual abuse in 2017 and was found guilty after an initial trial.

However, Mina's football career continued without any issues while he appealed the initial judgment, but his appeal was denied in July 2023. The former Valencia player was also ordered to pay €25,000 in damages to the victim.

Despite appealing his sentence, Mina's appeal was dismissed based on the grounds that the inconsistencies in the victim's testimony were not relevant. The defence also claimed that the victim had spurious motives and was seeking a financial reward from the trial, despite the victim not seeking any damages in the initial case.

1. Dani Alves

Former Barcelona star, Dani Alves has been accused and convicted of sexual assault after it was proved in court that he had forcefully had sexual relations with his victim in December 2023.

According to the victim's account to state prosecutors, she had danced with Alves and willingly accompanied him to the nightclub bathroom. However, when she later tried to leave, he allegedly prevented her from doing so, slapped her, insulted her, and forced her into sexual activity against her will.

Initially, Alves denied any sexual contact with the victim but later admitted to engaging in sexual relations, which he claimed were consensual. He explained that he initially denied the accusation in an attempt to salvage his marriage.

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