Barcelona Legend, Dani Alves Jailed For Sexual Assault

Barcelona legend, Dani Alves, has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022.

According to reports, the three-judge panel sentenced Alves to four years, six months.

It also ordered him to pay €150,000 (£128,500) to the victim.

Alves denied any wrongdoing during a trial that took place over three days this month. The decision can be appealed.

The court found Alves sexually assaulted his victim early in the morning of December 31, 2022, when she said he raped her in a bathroom of an upscale Barcelona nightclub.

State prosecutors had sought a nine-year prison sentence for Alves, while the lawyers representing his accuser wanted 12 years.

His defence asked for his acquittal, or if found guilty, a one-year sentence plus 50,000 euros (£42,765) compensation for the victim.

Alves has been in jail since being detained on January 20, 2023.

The victim said that she danced with Alves and willingly entered the nightclub bathroom, but Alves did not allow her leave before slapping her and then forcing her to have sexual relations with him against her will.

Alves modified his defence during the investigative phase while in custody, first denying any sexual contact with her before admitting to sexual relations that he said were consensual

He said he had been trying to save his marriage by not admitting to the encounter initially.

Alves made over 400 appearances for Barcelona over two spells, winning six league titles and three Champions League trophies.

He also played for the likes of PSG, Juventus, and most recently, the Mexican side, Pumas, before his contract was immediately terminated after the allegations came to light.