Former Brazil and Barcelona football star Dani Alves is set to stand trial from February 5-7 on charges of allegedly raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022. The Spanish court’s announcement came on December 20.
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Alves, known for a highly decorated career including 42 trophies, three Champions League titles with Barcelona, and two Copa America wins with Brazil, has been in custody in Spain since his arrest in January 2023. He notably became the oldest player to represent Brazil in the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar.
Prosecutors are seeking a 9-year prison sentence for Alves and have asked for compensation of 150,000 euros ($163,500) to be paid to the alleged victim. Alves, however, maintains that the encounter was consensual, stating in a June interview with La Vanguardia that he did not force the woman into any actions. His initial response to the allegations in a television interview was a denial of knowing the accuser, a stance he later admitted was false due to fears of marital repercussions.
The trial, a high-profile event, will be held in Barcelona. The indictment alleges that Alves showed a “violent attitude” towards the woman in a lavatory at the Sutton nightclub, forcing her into intercourse against her will. This case falls under Spain’s sexual consent law, where charges can range from online abuse to rape, the latter carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years.
Following the incident and subsequent arrest, Alves faced professional repercussions, including being released by his then-club, Pumas UNAM.
