Dani Alves risks up to 12 years in prison after alleged sexual assault at a Spanish nightclub, with the former Barcelona defender’s trial ‘expected between October and November’
- Dani Alves has been in jail since January over sexual assault allegations
- His accuser alleged that the former Barcelona defender raped her in a nightclub
- Alves, 40, has denied the allegations, but now faces a 12-year prison sentence
Dani Alves faces a prison sentence of up to 12 years for an alleged sexual assault at a Barcelona nightclub, whose trial is scheduled between October and November this year.
Alves, 40, has been detained at Brians 2 since January 20 after a 23-year-old woman alleged he raped her in a toilet at the well-known Sutton club.
The defender, formerly of Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, has seen several requests to be released on remand rejected and he will remain behind bars.
The most recent appeal was rejected by Barcelona Supreme Court judges.
Marka have claimed there are concerns Alves could flee the country if released, possibly back to his native Brazil, which does not extradite citizens abroad.
Dani Alves faces up to 12 years in prison for alleged assault at a nightclub
Alves, 40, has been detained since January 20 after a woman claimed he had raped her
The former defender of Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain is being held at Brians 2
Now, according to a further report from El PeriodicAlves’ case has been given a trial date this fall. The exact timing has yet to be officially confirmed.
If convicted, Alves could face a prison sentence of six to 12 years, as the Sexual Freedom Guarantee Act came into effect last October.
He had been detained in January after flying back to Spain from Mexico, where he played for UNAM Pumas, following the death of his wife Joana Sanz’s mother.
In a TV interview prior to his arrest, Alves claimed he never met his accuser. However, he later changed his story after being detained, claiming there was no assault and consent was given, and continues to plead his innocence.
Alves has indeed admitted to cheating on his wife, but denies any sexual assault.
It was initially reported that Alves had been accused of sticking his hands in the underwear of the woman in the club before it emerged that the prosecution had alleged that she had been punched in the face and raped in the toilet.
If Alves is convicted of the charges, he could face a prison sentence of six to 12 years
His requests for parole were denied (above: Alves’ attorney at a hearing)
Up to five judges, El Periodico adds, reviewed the evidence twice — including the two investigating judges and three magistrates — and reached the same conclusion.
There would be several clues that confirm the victim’s claims and negate the statements Alves has made so far.
The police found seven of the victim’s fingerprints in the cistern and also in the sink.
Footprints would also have suggested a series of movements at the scene consistent with the prosecution’s two statements.
After seeing bail denied, Alves told the Cuatro program ‘En Boca de todos’: ‘Only two people know what happened and, above all, what didn’t happen.
‘I’m telling the truth. I think everyone understands I was trying to save my marriage and that’s why I said what I said in the first place.
Alves continued to plead his innocence and insisted that consent had been given
His wife appeared to confirm that the couple have broken up in a letter posted to her Instagram
“That was the only motive and I have nothing to hide. There is talk of endless versions and I have only testified in court twice.
“I have been in prison since January 20 and have still not been brought to justice. It will be proven that I am not guilty and that it was a consensual relationship.
“It would never occur to me to force a sexual act on someone.”
His wife appeared to confirm that she had split from the footballer in a social media post.
In a handwritten letter, she said “it will take years to erase from my memory the way he looked at me” and “here is a strong woman moving on to the next phase of her life.”