Former Barcelona soccer player Dani Alves has reportedly been sentenced to prison for sexual assault.
Former Brazilian footballer Dani Alves has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison and ordered to pay €150,000 ($162,990) to a woman he sexually assaulted in a Barcelona nightclub in 2022. Catalonia’s highest court delivered the verdict on Thursday.
According to the court, there is evidence, along with the plaintiff’s testimony, that proves the rape occurred without the victim’s consent.
While Alves, who claimed that the sexual activity was consensual, plans to appeal the sentence, he will also be subject to a five-year probation period after release and a 9 and a half-year restraining order.
Initially, the prosecutor had sought a nine-year prison term.
“We are pleased that the sentence acknowledges what we have been asserting all along: that the victim was telling the truth and endured suffering,” said David Saenz, the victim’s lawyer. He added that his team will examine whether the severity of the crime corresponds to the sentence.
Ines Guardiola, Alves’ lawyer, disagreed with the verdict, stating, “We will appeal. I still believe in Dani Alves’ innocence. We have not yet read the entire ruling due to its length, but we will study it meticulously. We defend his innocence.”
Alves, 40, was arrested in January 2023 following accusations of sexually assaulting a woman in the bathroom of a high-end Barcelona nightclub in the early hours of December 31, 2022.
Since his arrest, Alves has been held in preventive pre-trial detention in Spain, as bail requests were denied due to concerns of flight risk.
The trial took place over three days earlier this month at a Barcelona court, during which Alves changed his account of events for the fifth time shortly before the trial began.
Initially, he denied knowing the woman who accused him. Later, he stated that he had met her in the bathroom of the club but denied any further interaction.
When confronted with biological evidence, Alves changed his version again, claiming that the woman had consensually performed oral sex on him.
Last April, after further biological tests, Alves admitted for the first time that he had engaged in sexual activity with the woman, asserting it was consensual and that he had lied to conceal infidelity to his wife.
Prior to the trial, Alves revealed for the first time that he had been intoxicated on the night in question.
“I am not that kind of man,” Alves replied when asked during the trial if he had coerced the woman into sexual relations. The woman told state prosecutors that she willingly danced with Alves and went into the bathroom, but claimed that when she wanted to leave, he prevented her from doing so. She alleged that he slapped her, insulted her, and raped her. Alves denied the allegations, stating that the woman never expressed a desire to leave or indicated that she did not want to engage in sexual activity with him. He also denied physically harming or insulting her. During the trial, the victim’s friend and cousin provided testimony stating that she was visibly distressed after leaving the bathroom. Police officers who attended to her on that night confirmed her shaken state and reported that she had been subjected to a sexual assault by Alves.
Alves’ associate, who was present with him, noted that the footballer had consumed wine and whiskey prior to entering the nightclub. In the courtroom, it was explained that the intoxication could potentially be considered a mitigating circumstance that could result in a reduced prison sentence.
According to Alves’ acquaintance, he and the woman had been dancing together and appeared to have a connection prior to entering the bathroom. The acquaintance also stated that they did not observe anything amiss with the woman thereafter.
A forensic psychologist who evaluated the woman testified that she displayed symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder. However, this assessment was challenged by an external expert brought in by the defense.
Throughout his illustrious 20-year career, Alves achieved significant success, securing major titles with renowned clubs such as Barça, Juventus, and PSG. Additionally, he played a significant role in Brazil’s victories in two Copa America tournaments and earned an Olympic gold medal at the age of 38.
In 2022, Alves participated in his third World Cup, the only major title he has yet to win. He enjoyed a spell at Barça from 2008 to 2016 and briefly rejoined the club for a second stint before moving to Mexico to join Pumas.
Following his arrest, Alves’ contract with the Mexican club was terminated immediately.