It came after a Santos sponsor made reference to the player’s ongoing rape case and cut its ties with the club.
Brazilian orthodontics franchise Orthopride ended their sponsorship ‘out of respect for women’ after the club announced Robinho’s signing.
In 2017, the former Manchester City forward was sentenced by an Italian court to nine years in prison for his involvement in the gang rape
of a 22-year-old Albanian woman at a nightclub in 2013.
Robinho denies the charges and has appealed the ruling. The case is continuing.
A Santos club statement read: “Santos and Robinho have by mutual agreement resolved to suspend the contract signed on 10 October so that the player can concentrate exclusively on his court defence in Italy.”
Forward Robinho agreed to rejoin Santos on a vastly reduced salary of just £200-a-month following his release by Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir.
But his return to the club caused controversy with shirt sponsor Orthopride cancelling their contract.
Chief operating officer Richard Adam said: “We have enormous respect for Santos’ history. But at this point, we have decided to terminate the sponsorship contract.”
NOTA À IMPRENSA
O Santos Futebol Clube e o atleta Robinho informam que, em comum acordo, resolveram suspender a validade do contrato firmado no último dia 10 de outubro para que o jogador possa se concentrar exclusivamente na sua defesa no processo que corre na Itália.
— Santos Futebol Clube (@SantosFC) October 16, 2020
“Our audience is mostly female and, out of respect for the women who buy our products, we had to make that decision.”
On social media, Robinho recorded a video and also talked about the agreement.
“With a lot of sadness in my heart, I come to tell you that I made the decision with the President to suspend my contract at this troubled time in my life. My goal has always been to help Santos Futebol Clube. If in any way I’m getting in the way, I better get out and focus on my personal stuff. For the fans of Peixão and those who like me, I will prove my innocence – said Robinho.”
