Footballer Dani Alves’s rape trial begins in Spain
Former Barcelona and Brazil soccer star Dani Alves is currently on trial in Spain, facing allegations of raping a woman at a nightclub.
The 40-year-old has been incarcerated without bail for over a year following the purported incident in December 2022.
If convicted, Mr. Alves could potentially be sentenced to up to 12 years behind bars.
Initially, he refuted any acquaintance with the accuser but later admitted to engaging in consensual sexual activity with her. The trial is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday.
Over 30 individuals, including Dani Alves and his estranged spouse, are anticipated to provide testimony.
Despite Mr. Alves’s plea for a trial postponement to allow for better preparation, citing undue media pressure, the Barcelona court denied his request on Monday.
During the first day of the trial, the accuser, safeguarding her identity behind a screen, presented her testimony.
She alleges that he enticed her into a restroom in the VIP area of a Barcelona nightclub and subsequently coerced her into sexual intercourse.
Additionally, her cousin and a friend, present on the night of the alleged assault, testified. They recounted instances where Mr. Alves had made advances and flirtations toward them earlier in the evening.
Moreover, they revealed that the woman initially hesitated to file a complaint due to concerns about being disbelieved.
In Spain, allegations of rape fall under the umbrella of sexual assault, with convictions carrying prison terms ranging from four to 15 years.
The public prosecutor in the case is seeking a nine-year jail term for Mr Alves, and for him to pay damages of €150,000 (£128,000) to the woman.
His mother, Lucia Alves – who was at the court on Monday alongside her son – could face prosecution herself after she named her son’s accuser in a social media post before the trial.
That was after a court had ruled that the woman could not be identified for her protection.
Mr Alves was formally charged in August and a court later decided that there was enough evidence to send him to trial.
Repeated requests for him to be released on bail have been denied because the courts considered the Brazilian national a flight risk.
Dani Alves is one of the most decorated footballers in history and has played for a host of top clubs including Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain.
He made more than 400 appearances for Barcelona, winning six league titles and three Champions Leagues across two spells, and was also part of Brazil’s 2022 World Cup squad.
His most recent club, Mexican side Pumas UNAM, terminated the Brazilian’s contract with immediate effect in January 2023.
