FILE - Former Brazil international football player Dani Alves, flanked by his lawyer Ines Guardiola, leaves a Spanish prison after being released on bail in 2024. Alves' rape conviction was overturned on appeal.
Image: Lluis Gene / AFP
In a dramatic legal turn of events, a Spanish appeals court has overturned the rape conviction of former Brazil international footballer Dani Alves, citing "shortcomings" and "inaccuracies" in the initial trial.
Alves, who has enjoyed prestigious stints at clubs such as Barcelona, Juventus, and Paris Saint Germain, had faced serious allegations of raping a young woman in the VIP bathroom of a Barcelona nightclub on December 31, 2022. In February 2023, he was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail after a thorough trial, but he was released in March when he posted a €1 million bail, pending an appeal.
The appeals court's ruling, announced on Friday, revealed that the four judges had "unanimously" accepted Alves' appeal, leading to the annulment of his conviction. Additionally, they dismissed an appeal by public prosecutors who sought a more severe nine-year prison sentence, revealing significant dissatisfaction with the handling of the case.
The court highlighted that the trial was marred by "gaps, inaccuracies, inconsistencies, and contradictions" related to both the factual evidence and the legal assessment.
During the initial trial, the victim, who testified behind a protective screen, described a harrowing encounter where she claimed Alves had violently forced her to engage in sexual acts, despite her desperate pleas to escape.
Prosecutors voiced the emotional distress she underwent, labelling her experience one of "anguish and terror."
In response to the allegations, Alves, who initially denied meeting the woman, later acknowledged having consensual sex with her. His legal team contended that the victim had been unusually close to the player while dancing, presenting their own narrative of the evening's events.
Alves was a pivotal part of an all-conquering Barcelona team - crowned La Liga champions six times - and won 126 caps for Brazil, winning the Copa America twice.
He also won European league titles with Italian giants Juventus and French outfit Paris Saint Germain.
At the time of his arrest, he was contracted to Mexican club Pumas UNAM - he was sacked soon afterwards.
Additional reporting by AFP
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