Former Football Star Dani Alves Convicted of Sexual Assault: Verdict and Fallout

Former Brazil and Barcelona football star Dani Alves has been convicted of sexual assault and sentenced to four and a half years in prison.

Former Brazil and Barcelona footballer Dani Alves has been convicted of sexual assault by Catalonia’s top court, following an incident at an upscale Barcelona nightclub on New Year’s Eve in 2022. The victim reported that Alves raped her in a bathroom.

As part of the verdict, Alves has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison and ordered to pay 150,000 euros (£128,000) to the victim.

The 40-year-old former right-back was arrested in January 2023 and has remained in custody since, with bail requests denied due to concerns about him being a flight risk. Despite being detained, Brazilian law prevents his extradition.

The victim recounted that she danced with Alves and voluntarily entered the nightclub bathroom. However, when she tried to leave, Alves allegedly prevented her from doing so, slapped her, insulted her, and forced her into sexual activity against her will.

Throughout the trial, Alves maintained his innocence, stating, “I am not that kind of man.” Initially, he denied any sexual contact with the woman but later admitted to consensual relations, citing efforts to protect his marriage.

During the proceedings, Alves’s defense argued that he was intoxicated at the time of the incident.

Prosecutors had sought a nine-year prison term, while the victim’s legal team pushed for 12 years. Alves’s defense requested either acquittal or, if found guilty, a one-year sentence plus compensation of 50,000 euros (£42,765) for the victim.

The state prosecutor’s office is reviewing the verdict to determine whether to appeal.

In October 2022, Spain introduced the “only yes means yes” law, which prioritizes sexual consent in determining assault cases, aiming to classify all non-consensual sexual acts as rape.