Former Barcelona and Brazil footballer Dani Alves has been convicted of rape by a court in Spain, resulting in a four-and-a-half-year prison sentence. The 40-year-old, renowned for his football career, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in a Barcelona nightclub on New Year’s Eve in 2022.
Despite denying the allegations, Alves has been ordered to pay €150,000 (£128,500) to the victim and will face five years of probation following his release. Prosecutors argued that Alves and a friend lured the victim to a VIP area of the nightclub under false pretenses before he forcibly engaged in sexual activity with her against her wishes.
The court ruled that there was sufficient evidence, beyond the victim’s testimony, to support the charges of rape. It described how Alves had forcefully restrained the woman, ignoring her protests and attempts to leave.
ALSO READ: ZIFA OUSTED EXECUTIVE APROACH CON-COURT
The victim expressed her trauma and distress caused by the assault, while a friend who witnessed her distress corroborated her account. Alves, who has been in custody since January 2023, provided varying accounts of the events, initially denying any knowledge of the victim before changing his story multiple times.
Although Dani Alves claimed the encounter was consensual, the court determined otherwise, leading to his conviction. The prosecution had sought a nine-year prison term, highlighting the severity of the offense. Under Spain’s legal framework, rape convictions carry sentences ranging from four to 15 years.
Alves, celebrated for his illustrious football career with Barcelona and Brazil, faces significant consequences as a result of the verdict.
