Santos football club canceled its contract with Robinho, 36, after intense pressure from sponsors and fans.
The football player received a 2017 conviction in Italy for a group sexual assault that allegedly happened in 2014. After Globo's ge.globo website published the athlete's text conversations that had led to the conviction, the club's sponsors and fans criticized Robinho's hiring.
Robinho denied that he committed the crime and appealed the conviction.
After the conversations became public, at least four Santos sponsors demanded the agreement's waiver with the player to maintain their contracts. Soon after, the club and player announced the suspension of the contract on social networks.
"Santos Futebol Clube and athlete Robinho report that, by mutual agreement, they decided to suspend the validity of the contract signed on October 10 so that the player can concentrate exclusively on his defense in the process that runs in Italy," wrote the association.
"With a lot of sadness in my heart, I come to tell you that I decided with the president to suspend my contract at this troubled time in my life. For the fans of Peixão and those who like me, I will prove my innocence," said Robinho in the published video.
There is no information on how long the agreement will be suspended or under what circumstances it may be resumed.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon