Champions League

DANI Alves is one of the most decorated footballers of all time, having won a number of Europe’s top leagues and lifting the Champions League trophy three times.The former Barcelona defender has been accused of sexual assault and is understood to be denying any wrongdoing — but what are the accusations against him and will he stand trial?
Alves was sacked by Mexican side UNAM Pumas following his arrestCredit: Getty
What has Dani Alves been accused of?
Dani Alves has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a Barcelona nightclub on December 30, 2022.
At first he claimed to have never met the woman in question, before backtracking at a later date and saying the pair had consensual sex, according to reports.
It was also initially reported he had put his hands down a woman’s underwear in the club’s VIP area’s toilets, but it later emerged the 23-year-old was alleging she had been the victim of rape.
The fact Alves changed his story was reportedly key to the decision to remand him in custody.
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It came after CCTV footage published by Spanish media was said to show him and the alleged victim in a VIP area and then going to the toilet for 47 seconds.
The accuser said that after the alleged attack she was too scared to leave the toilet for several minutes, and when she finally opened the door the footballer and his companions had left the venue.
Alves, a father of two, was sacked by Mexican side UNAM Pumas following his arrest at the start of 2023.
What has Dani Alves said about the accusations?
In a Spanish TV interview following the confirmation of a formal investigation being opened, Alves said: “I don’t know who this lady is.
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“I don’t know her name, I don’t know her, I’ve never seen her in my life.”
In June 2023, during an interview from his prison cell with Spanish reporter Mayka Navarro, Alves also said: “The only person I have to ask for forgiveness is my wife, Joana Sanz.
“I have already done that here in prison, but I have to do it publicly, because the story is public, the offence I caused her is public and she deserves that public apology.”
Alves continued: “I entered the nightclub bathroom after her.
“I didn’t even lock the door. The door was open all the time. She could have left at any time because I spent virtually all my time in there sat on the toilet seat.”
Will Dani Alves stand trial?
Alves will stand trial for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in a nightclub in late 2022.
Three judges at Barcelona’s Provincial Court announced their decision in an eight-page legal ruling made public on November 14, 2023.
The document read: “We consider there is sufficient prima facie evidence at this stage to agree the opening of the trial in the terms requested by state prosecutors and the prosecutor acting privately for the alleged victim.
“The statements the alleged victim has made and witness evidence and expert reports that form part of these proceedings can be considered as sufficient in that regard, without prejudice to the final verdict.”
Alves’ lawyer is expected to insist his client should be acquitted of any wrongdoing.
A date for the trial hasn’t been set yet, but it is likely to take place at the start of next year.
According to reports in Spanish outlets, Alves could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Where is Dani Alves now?
Alves is currently incarcerated.
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He is being detained at the Brians 2 prison in Catalonia, Spain.
Alves was held at the Brians 1 Penitentiary Centre initially, but was transferred to Brians 2 three days after his arrest. More