A Spanish appeals court has overturned the rape conviction of Brazilian footballer Dani Alves.
According to a report from NEWS CENTRAL TV, all four judges unanimously ruled in favour of Alves’ appeal, leading to the annulment of his previous conviction.
In February 2023, Alves was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for allegedly sexually assaulting a young woman at a Barcelona nightclub on New Year’s Eve in 2022.
The case gained significant media attention, with prosecutors initially pushing for a harsher nine-year prison term.
While awaiting the appeal process, Alves was granted release on bail after paying one million euros (approximately $1.1 million).
The court has now fully overturned his conviction, citing inconsistencies in the evidence and legal interpretations presented during the original proceedings.
The appeals court ruling exposed multiple discrepancies in the initial trial, including contradictions in witness testimonies and procedural errors. The panel of judges concluded that these issues undermined the legitimacy of the conviction, necessitating a complete dismissal of the case.
Additionally, the court rejected the prosecution’s request to extend Alves’ sentence to nine years.
During the initial trial, the accuser testified while shielded from public view to protect her privacy. She alleged that Alves had forcibly assaulted her, despite her repeated pleas for him to stop. Prosecutors described her testimony as detailing feelings of “anguish and terror.”
Alves’ defence, however, argued that his interactions with the woman were consensual. His legal team also pointed out inconsistencies in the alleged victim’s statements and maintained that the nightclub environment made it difficult to determine the true nature of the encounter.
Dani Alves, now 41, has had a celebrated football career. He played a crucial role in Barcelona’s success, winning six La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies. His international career includes 126 appearances for Brazil, earning two Copa America titles. Alves also played for top clubs like Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.
At the time of his arrest, Alves was signed with the Mexican club Pumas UNAM. However, following the allegations, his contract was swiftly terminated.
