A Spanish court has overturned Dani Alves’ conviction after he was previously found guilty of raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub.
Alves, 41, was first arrested in January 2023 and was later found guilty, in February 2024, of raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022, as per BBC. Alves denied wrongdoing during a three-day trial in February 2024.
The former Brazil international was sentenced to four and a half years in prison.
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Prosecutors said Alves and his friend had purchased champagne for three young women before Alves “lured” one of them to a VIP area of a nightclub with a toilet.
An argument followed before they claimed he forced the woman to have sex despite her repeated requests to leave.
On Friday, the Catalan High Court overturned the conviction on appeal and acquitted Alves while he was currently on probation.
Relevo reports that Alves’ lawyers “directly asked for an acquittal” while the Prosector’s office requested an increased nine-year sentence.
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But the High Court acquitted Alves due to "insufficient evidence".
"We are happy, he is innocent, justice has acted," said Irene Guardiola, Alves' lawyer.
"It has been very emotional, justice has been done."
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"We expected this; it's fair," she added. "Alves is innocent; it's just been proven, and justice has finally been done. I'm thrilled. I believed it, and we're very happy."
The new ruling can be appealed.
Alves may now leave the country after the court also lifted a travel ban.
During his football career, Alves was considered to be one of the best right-backs in the world and made 408 appearances for Barcelona as well as representing Sevilla, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus plus the Brazil national team 126 times.
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The 41-year-old was at Mexican side Pumas when he was initially arrested and had his contract immediately terminated. It is unclear if Alves will return to the sport following the conclusion of the case.
Topics: Dani Alves, Barcelona
Luke Alfred Davies