Lawyers of ex-Man City, Real Madrid striker Robinho file request to avoid his immediate arrest

Robinho was convicted of rape (Martin Rickett/PA)

Ricardo Brito and Peter Frontini

The defence team of former soccer player Robinho has filed a request to Brazil's Supreme Court to avoid his immediate arrest after a different court ruled that he must serve in Brazil a nine-year prison sentence for rape.

In the request, the lawyers representing the former player for Santos, Manchester City, Real Madrid and AC Milan asked for an injunction to suspend Wednesday's decision by the country's top court for non-constitutional matters, that ruled that he must serve his sentence immediately.