Renowned Brazilian footballer Dani Alves, celebrated for his tenure with Barcelona and the Brazilian national team, is scheduled to stand trial in Barcelona over accusations of sexual assault. The trial, commencing on Monday, stems from an incident in 2022 where Alves is alleged to have assaulted a woman in a nightclub bathroom. The 40-year-old defender has been in custody since his arrest in January of the same year.
Background and Allegations
The case has attracted considerable attention due to Alves’ high-profile status in the football world. The trial will provide a legal platform to examine the allegations, allowing both the prosecution and defense to present their cases.
Alves, initially denying any sexual encounter with the woman and asserting no acquaintance, later admitted to consensual relations, citing protection of his marriage as the reason for the initial denial.
Against the backdrop of ongoing discourse on sexual violence in Spain, particularly following an alleged non-consensual kiss by Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales in August, the trial adds another layer to the political theme of sexual assault in the country.
Legal Implications
In Spain, allegations of rape are investigated under the broader charge of sexual assault, with potential jail terms ranging from four to 15 years. The public prosecutor is reportedly seeking a nine-year prison term for Alves and damages totaling 150,000 euros ($163,215.00) for the alleged victim.
Trial Proceedings
The trial, expected to last three days at Barcelona’s highest courthouse, will include testimonies from Alves, the alleged victim, and approximately 30 other individuals. The alleged victim will testify from behind a screen, with her voice and image distorted to protect her identity.
Professional Consequences
Following his arrest, Alves faced professional consequences, being terminated by Mexico’s Pumas UNAM. The legal proceedings pose potential far-reaching implications for the former football star, who has accrued over 40 trophies throughout his career for both country and club.
Subscribe to Follow Global Trends for daily global news.To Advertise, send a mail to advertise@followglobaltrends.com
Credit: Joan Faus