BARCELONA, Spain – Former Brazilian footballer Dani Alves has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in 2022, as confirmed by Catalonia’s top court on Thursday. He has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison and ordered to pay €150,000 ($162,990) to the victim.
The court’s statement emphasized that the victim did not consent to the assault, and there was sufficient evidence to prove the crime. Alves, who had claimed that the sex was consensual, has expressed his intention to appeal the verdict. His legal team also plans to analyze whether the sentence corresponds to the gravity of the crime.
This case has been ongoing since Alves’ arrest in January 2023, with the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain defender remaining in preventive pre-trial prison in Spain. The trial, which lasted three days, saw Alves altering his story multiple times before ultimately admitting to having sex with the woman. He attributed his initial denial to his desire to hide infidelity.
Witnesses and forensic experts have presented conflicting testimonies and evidence, with the alleged victim’s lawyer emphasizing the gravity of the situation and Alves’ legal team emphasizing his innocence. Throughout the trial, the sensational nature of the case and Alves’ status as a former world-class footballer have captured public attention.
The sentencing has stirred debate and discussions about celebrity privilege, consent, and the legal treatment of sexual assault cases. The case has also brought to light issues surrounding alcohol consumption and its role in sexual assault cases, with a friend of Alves testifying to his inebriation on the night of the incident.
Dani Alves’ fall from grace, from celebrated football star to a convicted offender, underscores the complexities and challenges of addressing sexual assault within the realm of professional sports. As he prepares to appeal the verdict, the case will continue to be a focal point of discussion and reflection within the sports community and beyond.