Football legend Dani Alves has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in December 2022. The former Barcelona defender has consistently denied any wrongdoing, but the accusations against him have led to his conviction.
Alves was sacked by Mexican side UNAM Pumas following his arrest, and the situation has caused significant damage to his reputation and career.
In a Spanish TV interview after a formal investigation was opened, Alves claimed to not know the woman accusing him. However, in a June 2023 interview, he publicly asked his wife for forgiveness, admitting to the offense he had caused her.
The victim accused Alves of raping her in a nightclub bathroom. She stated that after dancing with Alves, she willingly entered the bathroom but later wanted to leave, but he would not allow it. The victim reported that Alves then slapped her and forced her to have sexual relations against her will.
As a result, Alves has been ordered to pay £130,000 (150,000 euros) to the victim by the court and has been sentenced to four years and six months in prison. He was first arrested in January 2023, and after his bail requests were denied, he has been detained since.
State prosecutors had sought a nine-year prison sentence for Alves, while the lawyers representing the victim wanted 12 years. Meanwhile, his defense asked for his acquittal or, if found guilty, a one-year sentence plus £43,000 (50,000 euros) compensation for the victim.
Alves’ fall from grace has sent shockwaves through the footballing world, with many fans and professionals alike left reeling. As the saga continues to unfold, one question remains at the forefront of everyone’s minds: will Dani Alves go to jail?
