Robinho sexual assault conviction won't stop EB move but may affect the club's brand

THE RECENT RUMOURS OF East Bengal aiming to sign Brazilian star striker Robinho on a record breaking deal has the Indian football transfer market buzzing with excitement.

A player of Robinho's calibre, who at 34 remains capable of delivering match-altering performances for his club, would definitely be one of the most significant signigs (if not the most significant) by an Indian club, ever. It would certainly be the most expensive one.

But there's one asterisk to this entire episode that casts an unseemly shadow over this episode that has fans around the country excited: a sexual assault conviction against the player.

Back in 2013, when Robinho was playing for AC Milan, he allegedly was one of six Brazilian men who gang-raped an Albanian woman. Robinho denied the allegations through his lawyer but did not appear in court to take part in the case proceedings. Following this, in November last year, he was convicted of the crime sentenced to 9 years in jail by the Italian court. The other 5 accused remain absconding, and the trials against them remain suspended.

Now, Robinho has the right to two appeals against this verdict, and the conclusion of that process will likely take years. The former Manchester City and Real Madrid forward is free to play football in the meantime and given his age he may complete his playing career before a conclusion is reached in the legal proceedings.

But the verdict has impacted his career and his ability to travel in a significant way. Although his jail sentence will not be enforced right now, he has stayed away from contries that have an extradition treaty with Italy, which includes significant footballing countries like USA, Australia, Uruguay, Germany etc. Due to his conviction, he is also not among the list of desirables at most clubs in Europe and the Americas due to the potential furore signing him would invite. This was part of the reason why he chose to go to Turkey's Sivasspor, and it has started a new phase of Robinho's career: a winding down of his playing days with lucrative contracts in countries where clubs will disregard his criminal record.

A potential East Bengal move, in that sense, fits his plans. But it remains to be seen whether his current status as a convicted sex offender impacts the brand image that East Bengal, with new corporate partners Quess Corp, are trying to project to potential domestic and international fans and sponsors.