Barcelona, Spain – A Spanish court has made the decision to release former Barcelona and Brazil footballer Dani Alves from jail on the condition that he serves a quarter of his sentence for rape. Alves, who was sentenced to four and a half years in prison last month, will be required to pay a €1 million bail to be released from pre-trial detention, where he has been held since January 2023.
The 40-year-old was found guilty of raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022. The court ruling includes the stipulation that Alves surrender both his Brazilian and Spanish passports, preventing him from leaving Spain. In addition, he must make weekly court appearances and is prohibited from coming near the victim.
Alves’ lawyer had requested his release on the basis that he had already served a quarter of his sentence while in pre-trial detention following his initial arrest. However, the decision was not unanimous, with one judge dissenting. The victim’s lawyer condemned the ruling, describing it as a scandal and vowing to appeal the decision.
During his trial, prosecutors alleged that Alves had coerced a woman into sex after taking her to a VIP area of the nightclub without her knowledge. Despite Alves’ claims that the encounter was consensual, the court determined that the woman did not provide consent. This case also highlighted changes in Spanish law that emphasize the importance of consent under the “Only Yes is Yes” principle.
The court cited evidence, beyond the victim’s testimony, that supported the claim of rape, including the victim’s account of the assault causing her anguish and terror. Alves had changed his version of events multiple times during the trial, initially denying knowing the accuser, then claiming they had consensual sex.
Alves, a football veteran with over 400 appearances for Barcelona and various other clubs, has had a successful career in the sport, winning numerous league titles and international caps. The decision to release him on bail has sparked outrage among supporters of the victim, who criticize the justice system for what they perceive as favoring the wealthy. Alves’ legal team has yet to issue a statement regarding the court’s ruling.