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      Chelsea star Sam Kerr ‘called cop a stupid white b*****d in row over taxi fare after being sick in cab on night out’

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      SUPERSTAR women’s footballer Sam Kerr called a policeman “a stupid white b*****d,” it has been claimed.The 30-year-old Aussie’s alleged racial insult came after cops were called to a dispute over a taxi fare.Chelsea player Sam Kerr has been caught in a racism row after allegedly abusing a police officerCredit: GettySam allegedly called the officer a ‘a stupid white b*****d’Credit: GettyKerr is said to have allegedly said the phrase after a night outCredit: GettySam appeared in court via video link and pleaded not guilty to the chargeCredit: InstagramAustralia women’s captain and Chelsea striker Kerr is said to have been sick in the cab after a night out.Kerr is then alleged to have unleashed a racist verbal volley when cops arrived to deal with the dispute in Twickenham, South West London, on January 30 last year.She has been charged with intentionally causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress to the male PC under section 31(1)(b) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.If convicted, FIFA poster girl Kerr faces a maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment.Read more on footballKerr, of Richmond, South West London, was summonsed via postal requisition to first appear at Wimbledon magistrates’ court on February 1.The case was committed to Kingston crown court where she appeared via videolink on Monday.She wore a white T-shirt and black  jacket and spoke only to confirm her name and plead not guilty to the charge.Judge Judith Elaine Coello ordered her to appear for a four-day trial at the court in February next year at which two police officers are expected to give evidence.Most read in FootballBefore that, a hearing is scheduled to take place on 26 April where it is expected the defence will try  to dismiss the case by claiming abuse of process.The judge said she understood that Kerr’s defence would be that she did not intend to cause alarm, harassment or distress to the police officer and that her behaviour was not racially motivated.It is understood the delay in charging Kerr stemmed from CPS lawyers trying to decide what offence to prosecute her for.Kerr, who became the first female footballer to appear on the front cover of the global FIFA 23 video game, has spoken out against racism in the past.She and the Matildas team linked arms and posed with an Aboriginal flag ahead of their match against New Zealand. in 2021.Kerr said at the time: “We’re very proud of it.“We spoke a lot about it as a team. We wanted to do something that was important to us and show unity within our group.”She is nicknamed the ‘Millionaire Matilda’ because of her lucrative career earnings and is the only female player to have won the golden boot in three different leagues and on three different continents.Kerr was selected to carry the Australian national flag at Prince Charles’ coronation at Westminster Abbey in May last year, cementing her iconic status Down Under.She signed for Chelsea in 2019 and has since scored 99 goals in 128 matches. READ MORE SUN STORIESKerr is currently sidelined with a long-term cruciate ligament knee injury sustained during a warm weather training camp in Morocco in January.She is engaged to be married to  West Ham United’s Kristie Mewis, 32.Sam Kerr has played for Chelsea since 2020Credit: GettySam Kerr and Kristie Mewis, who are engagedCredit: Instagram More

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      Everton could be plunged into further financial turmoil as Premier League rivals threaten £100m lawsuits

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      EVERTON face further financial chaos if five rival clubs have taken up their right to sue — and the Toffees could be hit for more than £100million.SunSport understands that at least one of Burnley, Leeds, Leicester, Nottingham Forest and Southampton have signalled their intention to claim.Sean Dyche’s Toffees might see legal action from at least one top-flight rivalCredit: RexJordan Pickford and Co could see Everton face a financial nightmareCredit: PASean Dyche’s Goodison outfit earned a partial win when their ten-point punishment for breaching Prem Profitability and Sustainability Rules was slashed to six on appeal.But the initial November verdict came alongside a ruling by independent commission chairman David Phillips QC that rival clubs could demand compensation.He gave all five outfits 28 days from the Nov 17 publication of the findings to register their interest in making a claim.While the clubs approached have declined to make any comment, at least one planned to take legal action.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe confirmation in the appeal findings that Everton DID gain a “sporting advantage” by their PSR breach will add weight to any action.Burnley and Leicester are thought to have the strongest cases as they can argue they were direct casualties of Everton’s misconduct.Clarets went down in 18th place in 2021-22, the season Everton breached the three-term limit of £105m in “allowable losses”.And the Foxes took the same position last campaign, when the Goodison club was initially charged.Most read in FootballHOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALLBoth could argue they missed around £50m up front — the difference between the minimum Prem TV money and the parachute payment for relegation.They may also seek to include lost revenue from gate money and sponsorship plus the cost of ‘forced sales’ of players at knockdown prices.Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozersThat list might include winger Harvey Barnes, who could have commanded more than the £38m Newcastle paid relegated Leicester last July.Leeds’ potential claim is likely to be just £3.7m — the difference in prize money between 18th and 19th — as they would have gone down regardless.Saints, who would have come bottom in any event, and Forest — who could open a floodgate for claims against themselves after being charged with a PSR breach in 2022-23 — are seen as less likely to have claimed. More

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      Dani Alves statue wrapped in duct tape & bin bags as furious locals demand its removed after shamed star jailed for rape

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      DANI Alves’ statue was wrapped in duct tape and bin bags as his hometown wants it removed following his rape conviction.The former Barcelona star was jailed for more than four years after being found guilty of raping a woman in a Spanish nightclub.
      Alves was found guilty of sexually assaulting a young woman in a Barcelona nightclubCredit: AP
      Dani Alves’ statue in his hometown, Juazeiro, was wrapped in duct tape and bin bags as locals demand to get it removedCredit: X/@MCITY_8
      The life-size statue shows Alves wearing the Brazilian national team shirt and a football at his feetCredit: X/@MCITY_8
      The court ordered that Alves pay £130,000 (150,000 euros) to the victim and sentenced him to four and a half years behind bars.
      The Brazilian right-back has denied the allegations and is set to appeal the decision.
      Neighbours in his hometown of Juazeiro, in the state of Bahia, wrapped his statue with bin bags and duct tape in a bid to get it removed following Alves’ sentencing.
      According to Marca, a local wrote on social media: “It’s about time to vandalise the statue of Dani Alves on the outskirts of Juazeiro, right?
      Read more on Dani Alves
      “It has gotten embarrassing.”
      The statue was unveiled in 2020 as a tribute to Alves, born and raised in Juazeiro.
      The statue is located in the central region of the city and displays a life-size Daniel Alves wearing the Brazilian national team shirt and a football at his feet.
      But the work has been vandalised several times since the player’s arrest.
      Most read in Football
      The Juazeiro City Council is now considering removing the statue but said it will only comment on the matter after the athlete’s case has become final, Estadao reports.
      It has been revealed that Alves could be released from prison as soon as July 20 when he will have served a third of his sentence, reported Spanish media.
      Dani Alves’ model ex Joana Sanz arrives at court to reveal what ‘drunk’ ex-Barcelona star told her moments after ‘rape’
      He would be allowed to leave jail to work or “participate in activities” for the day before returning at night as per Spanish law. It is not clear what these activities will be.
      The disgraced footballer could also exchange part of his sentence in Spain for expulsion to Brazil, lawyer Agustín Martínez Becerra told Globo G1.
      Spanish law states that foreigners sentenced between one and five years in prison can request to exchange their sentence for expulsion to their home country.
      As well as two spells at Barcelona, Alves has played for Seville, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Sao Paulo.
      He is widely considered one of the greatest full-backs of all time and became the oldest player to represent Brazil at the World Cup in December 2022 in Qatar.
      The Brazilian defender was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison but he may be able to leave in a matter of monthsCredit: AFPTimeline of Dani Alves’ caseDecember 30, 2022: A woman alleges she was sexually assaulted in the toilets of Sutton nightclub

      January 1, 2023: Cops in Barcelona investigate an alleged sexual assault in a nightclub involving Dani Alves
      January 5, 2023: Dani Alves’ alleged victim makes a formal complaint claiming she was sexually assaulted
      CCTV footage shows Alves had been alone for 47 seconds in a toilet at the nightclub with his accuser
      January 20, 2023: Alves is remanded in custody by a judge in Barcelona
      He initially denies ever meeting his accuser but later confirms they had sex in the nightclub’s toilets – but insists was consensual
      January 31, 2023: His wife Joana Sanz, 29, demands a divorce
      February 8, 2023: It emerges that Alves is said to be receiving ‘VIP treatment’ in prison
      March 17, 2023: Alves goes on a hunger strike following split from wife
      November 14, 2023: The footballer is ordered to stand trial for the alleged assault
      November 24, 2023: Prosecutors demand nine years jail time and to pay the alleged victim  £130,000, if found guilty
      February 5, 2024: Alves appears in court in Spain facing twelve years in jail
      February 6 2024: Joana Sanz testified in court about a “drunk” phone call her husband made to her after the alleged assault
      February 7 2024: Alves tells a Spanish court the encounter was consensual More

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      Dani Alves’ ex-wife Joana Sanz blasts cruel trolls who’ve been berating her after ex-Barcelona star’s rape conviction

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      DANI Alves’ ex-wife Joana Sanz blasted cruel trolls who have been berating her following the disgraced footballer’s rape conviction.The Brazilian defender, 40, was found guilty for raping a woman in the bathroom of a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022.
      Dani Alves’ ex-wife Joana Sanz, pictured right, blasted trolls who were berating her after his rape convictionCredit: Getty
      The 31-year-old said she’s been seeing ‘barbaric’ things onlineCredit: joanasanz/Instagram
      Joana also warned her thousands of followers not to believe everything they read on social mediaCredit: joanasanz/Instagram
      The Spanish model, 31, took her frustration to Instagram and warning her fans not to believe the “barbaric things” said about her.
      In a short video, Joana said: “I was thinking not to give more hype to certain incoherent headlines.
      “But it’s quite surprising how feminist they are for some things, and for others they call me what I’ve been seeing out there?
      “‘Frivolous’, ‘little girl’, why? Because I’m working? Of course.
      Read more on Dani Alves
      “But then, if I don’t work, someone’s paying my bills or worse things, worse barbaric things I’ve heard out there.
      “In short, they need to criticise us, no?”
      The Tenerife-born beauty continued: “Another thing is that what I publish on social networks is not my 24/7 and it does not always have to be how I feel or stop feeling, when I open up and want to express my feelings.
      “I do it and when I don’t, I don’t have to.”
      Most read in Football
      She concluded her post by telling her 947,000 followers not to believe everything they see online.
      She said: “I mean, my friends know that, my circle knows it, in the end they are the ones who are living with me, so stop being guided by malicious or distorted headlines that go nowhere.
      “Work, people, because in the end the fridge doesn’t fill itself.”
      It comes after Joana posted a glowing selfie just minutes after the former footballer was found guilty of rape.
      And she accidentally shared a bizarre letter the disgraced rapist wrote to her from prison.
      Before being handed a four-and-a-half year jail sentence on Thursday, Alves wrote his ex an intimate letter from his cell as he awaited trial.
      He pleaded for forgiveness and thanked the model for being a strong woman as she went through “such a difficult time”, Vogue reports.
      Timeline of Dani Alves’ caseDecember 30, 2022: A woman alleges she was sexually assaulted in the toilets of Sutton nightclub
      January 1, 2023: Cops in Barcelona investigate an alleged sexual assault in a nightclub involving Dani Alves
      January 5, 2023: Dani Alves’ alleged victim makes a formal complaint claiming she was sexually assaulted
      CCTV footage shows Alves had been alone for 47 seconds in a toilet at the nightclub with his accuser
      January 20, 2023: Alves is remanded in custody by a judge in Barcelona
      He initially denies ever meeting his accuser but later confirms they had sex in the nightclub’s toilets – but insists was consensual
      January 31, 2023: His wife Joana Sanz, 29, demands a divorce
      February 8, 2023: It emerges that Alves is said to be receiving ‘VIP treatment’ in prison
      March 17, 2023: Alves goes on a hunger strike following split from wife
      November 14, 2023: The footballer is ordered to stand trial for the alleged assault
      November 24, 2023: Prosecutors demand nine years jail time and to pay the alleged victim  £130,000, if found guilty
      February 5, 2024: Alves appears in court in Spain facing twelve years in jail
      February 6 2024: Joana Sanz testified in court about a “drunk” phone call her husband made to her after the alleged assault
      February 7 2024: Alves tells a Spanish court the encounter was consensual

      Alves then declared his love for Joana, writing that he loves her very much, will always be with her, and that together, they are stronger.
      The letter also expressed gratitude for the model’s resilience amid the scandal.
      It read: “Within my imperfection, I learned that I cannot dedicate my time to what was, but rather transform my energy into what is.And what it is, is that you are what I dreamed of.
      “What I dreamed of and what I continue to dream of. I want to take all the paths with you. I didn’t have the wrong woman, yes, it was you.
      “There is not a single day, not a single moment, not a single plan in which you are not there.
      “I pray every day for the day to come that I can see you wake up. Nostalgia is not about not being able to do it now.
      “Wherever, whatever, whatever, but with you always by my side. I feel strange feelings. I love you.”
      After sharing the love note on her Instagram, the model quickly removed the post, saying she had meant to share it with her best friends only.
      She wrote: “I mistakenly posted something for everyone that was for best friends.
      “Tremendous speed of the media. Do they activate a follow-up on my Instagram with notifications or something?”
      Dani Alves was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison and ordered to pay £130,000 (150,000 euros) to the victim for the assault.
      But it can now be revealed that the Brazilian could be released from prison as soon as July 20 when he will have served a third of his sentence, reported Spanish media.
      Alves would be allowed to leave jail to work or “participate in activities” for the day before returning at night as per Spanish law. It is not clear what these activities will be.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      The disgraced footballer could also exchange part of his sentence in Spain for expulsion to Brazil, lawyer Agustín Martínez Becerra told Globo G1.
      Spanish law states that foreigners sentenced between one and five years in prison can request to exchange their sentence for expulsion to their home country.
      Joana posted this selfie a few minutes after Alves’ sentenceCredit: instagram/@joanasanz
      The Brazil star was sentenced to four and a half years in jail on ThursdayCredit: Reuters
      Alves and Joana tied the knot in 2017 and split last yearCredit: Getty More

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      Dani Alves’ ex-wife Joana Sanz accidentally shares bizarre letter pleading for forgiveness disgraced rapist wrote to her

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      DANI Alves’ ex-wife Joana Sanz accidentally shared a bizarre letter the disgraced rapist wrote to her from prison.The Brazilian defender, 40, was found guilty for raping a woman in the bathroom of a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022.
      Dani Alves allegedly wrote an intimate letter to his ex-wife Joana Sanz from prisonCredit: Getty
      The model said she accidentally shared the handwritten note on Instagram before deleting itCredit: Instagram
      Before being handed a four-and-a-half year jail sentence on Thursday, Alves wrote his ex an intimate letter from his cell as he awaited trial.
      He pleaded for forgiveness and thanked the model for being a strong woman as she went through “such a difficult time”, Vogue reports.
      Alves then declared his love for Joana, writing that he loves her very much, will always be with her, and that together, they are stronger.
      The letter also expressed gratitude for the model’s resilience amid the scandal.
      Read more on Dani Alves
      It read: “Within my imperfection, I learned that I cannot dedicate my time to what was, but rather transform my energy into what is.And what it is, is that you are what I dreamed of.
      “What I dreamed of and what I continue to dream of. I want to take all the paths with you. I didn’t have the wrong woman, yes, it was you.
      “There is not a single day, not a single moment, not a single plan in which you are not there.
      “I pray every day for the day to come that I can see you wake up. Nostalgia is not about not being able to do it now.
      Most read in Football
      “Wherever, whatever, whatever, but with you always by my side. I feel strange feelings. I love you.”
      Joana shared love note on her Instagram page in September, captioning the post: “Everyone knows, everyone knows, knows s***.”
      Dani Alves’ model ex Joana Sanz arrives at court to reveal what ‘drunk’ ex-Barcelona star told her moments after ‘rape’
      Followers were quick to investigate who was the mystery writer by comparing the handwriting with a letter that the footballer wrote to her in March.
      “That’s Daniel’s handwriting,” one user wrote.
      Another added: “[That’s a] love letter written by him.”
      But the model quickly removed the post, saying she had meant to share it with her best friends only.
      She wrote: “I mistakenly posted something for everyone that was for best friends.
      “Tremendous speed of the media. Do they activate a follow-up on my Instagram with notifications or something?”
      Dani Alves was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison and ordered to pay £130,000 (150,000 euros) to the victim for the assault.
      But it can now be revealed that the Brazilian could be released from prison as soon as July 20 when he will have served a third of his sentence, reported Spanish media.
      Alves would be allowed to leave jail to work or “participate in activities” for the day before returning at night as per Spanish law. It is not clear what these activities will be.
      The disgraced footballer could also exchange part of his sentence in Spain for expulsion to Brazil, lawyer Agustín Martínez Becerra told Globo G1.
      Spanish law states that foreigners sentenced between one and five years in prison can request to exchange their sentence for expulsion to their home country.
      He said: “In Spain, a foreign person sentenced to less than five years can ask to be expelled immediately.
      “He [Daniel Alves] has two nationalities, and can claim that he is Brazilian.”
      But Becerra explained that Alves would only be able to make the request after a second instance court decision.
      The footballer’s Thursday sentencing is still deemed as a first instance decision, which Becerra calls “provisional”.
      A second instance decision could be reached if Alves decides to go through with his appeal and succeeds.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      As well as two spells at Barcelona, Alves has played for Seville, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Sao Paulo.
      He is widely considered one of the greatest full-backs of all time and became the oldest player to represent Brazil at the World Cup in December 2022 in Qatar.
      Alves was found guilty of sexually assaulting a young woman in a Barcelona nightclubCredit: AP
      Joana Sanz, pictured arriving in court, said her ex-husband ‘smelled’ of alcohol on the night of the crimeCredit: EPA
      The Brazilian defender was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison but he may be able to leave in a matter of monthsCredit: ReutersTimeline of Dani Alves’ caseDecember 30, 2022: A woman alleges she was sexually assaulted in the toilets of Sutton nightclub

      January 1, 2023: Cops in Barcelona investigate an alleged sexual assault in a nightclub involving Dani Alves
      January 5, 2023: Dani Alves’ alleged victim makes a formal complaint claiming she was sexually assaulted
      CCTV footage shows Alves had been alone for 47 seconds in a toilet at the nightclub with his accuser
      January 20, 2023: Alves is remanded in custody by a judge in Barcelona
      He initially denies ever meeting his accuser but later confirms they had sex in the nightclub’s toilets – but insists was consensual
      January 31, 2023: His wife Joana Sanz, 29, demands a divorce
      February 8, 2023: It emerges that Alves is said to be receiving ‘VIP treatment’ in prison
      March 17, 2023: Alves goes on a hunger strike following split from wife
      November 14, 2023: The footballer is ordered to stand trial for the alleged assault
      November 24, 2023: Prosecutors demand nine years jail time and to pay the alleged victim  £130,000, if found guilty
      February 5, 2024: Alves appears in court in Spain facing twelve years in jail
      February 6 2024: Joana Sanz testified in court about a “drunk” phone call her husband made to her after the alleged assault
      February 7 2024: Alves tells a Spanish court the encounter was consensual More

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      Inside Dani Alves’ Spanish prison with its own swimming pool that John McAfee likened to ‘the Hilton’ before his death

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      DANI ALVES will serve his rape sentence in a Spanish prison a famous former convict likened to a “Hilton” hotel.The former Barcelona and Brazil defender was this week found guilty of raping a woman in a Spanish nightclub on New Year’s Eve in December 2022.
      Ex-Barcelona and Brazil defender Dani Alves has been found guilty of rapeCredit: AFP
      The 40-year-old has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years behind barsCredit: AFP
      Alves will serve his sentence at the Brians 2 Prison outside of BarcelonaCredit: REUTERS
      The prison is not the most intimidating in comparison to othersCredit: DEPARTAMENT DE JUSTICA
      Alves, who protested his innocence throughout the trial, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years behind bars for the vile attack.
      The 40-year-old will serve his sentence at the Brians 2 prison, where he’s been on remand since January 2.
      The prison, which was opened in 2007 to help overcrowding in other penitentiaries, is home to 1500 inmates.
      But it’s not your run-of-the-mill prison.
      READ MORE ON DANI ALVES
      Brians 2, which is just over 20 miles away from Barcelona city centre, includes a massive swimming pool for convicts to keep cool during the sweltering summer months.
      Alves, according to reports, is set to share the prison with a former bodyguard of his old Brazil team-mate Ronaldinho.
      Marca claims Ronaldinho’s former protector – a man named Coutinho – is also behind bars at Brians 2 following a conviction for sexual assault.
      The most famous resident of the prison was antivirus software pioneer John McAfee, who died in its walls in June 2021.
      Most read in Football
      Anti-virus pioneer John McAfee likened Brians 2 to a ‘Hilton’ hotelCredit: AP
      McAfee – who was locked up in Brians 2 in October 2021 – faced multiple charges of fraud, money laundering and tax evasion in America before his death.
      And he was pleasantly surprised by the conditions of what proved to be his home for the final days of his life.
      Dani Alves’ model ex Joana Sanz arrives at court to reveal what ‘drunk’ ex-Barcelona star told her moments after ‘rape’
      He said: “Life in Spanish prisons is like the Hilton compared to the abject surrealism and dehumanization of American prisons.
      “Here I am treated as a human being instead of a number.”
      Although it’s a far cry from most prisons, Brians 2 has experienced its fair share of violence.
      Before McAfee’s arrest, a prisoner – who had been jailed for sexually exploiting minors and disabled individuals – was stabbed 29 times in his chest, neck and abdomen.
      An inmate with mental health problems also attacked his fellow inmates and staff in April 2020 before eventually being restrained.
      Multiple-time LaLiga and Champions League winner Alves vehemently denied his accusers’ claims before being sentenced to hard time.
      He admitted to having sexual intercourse with the victim at the plush Sutton nightclub and claimed it was consensual.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Prosecutors for the State and the victim had sought heftier punishments for Alves, demanding nine and 12-year sentences respectfully.
      Alves and his legal team plan to appeal his sentence. More

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      Dani Alves’ ex-wife Joana Sanz looks defiant in selfie posted MINUTES after former Barcelona star found guilty of rape

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      DANI Alves’ estranged wife Joana Sanz posted a glowing selfie just minutes after the former footballer was found guilty of rape.The Spanish model appeared unfazed in the snap she uploaded on her Instagram story – just a few minutes after the sentence of her ex-husband was announced.
      Joana Sanz posted the selfie a few minutes after Alves’ sentenceCredit: instagram/@joanasanz
      The Brazilian footballer was found guilty of raping a woman at a nightclub in BarcelonaCredit: Reuters
      The Spanish model posted a photo of herself holding a coffeeCredit: instagram/joanasanz
      Sanz testified in court Alves “smelled of alcohol” after arriving home the night of December 30Credit: Getty
      Sanz, who is in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria for an advertisement shoot, according to El Español, posted a series of snaps on Instagram.
      In one of them she shared a photo of herself holding a coffee as she is surrounded by makeup tools.
      The model testified in court earlier this month that her ex-husband “smelled of alcohol” and “he bumped into several pieces of furniture and collapsed on the bed” when he arrived home the night of December 30.
      This morning the ex-Barcelona star, 40, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for raping a woman in the toilets of the nightclub Sutton in Barcelona.
      READ MORE ON DANI ALVES
      He was also ordered to pay the victim £130,000 (150,000 euros) and to stay away from her for nine-and-a-half years.
      The court said in a statement: “The sentence considers that it has been proven that the victim did not consent and that there is evidence, in addition to the testimony of the plaintiff, to consider the rape proven.”
      State prosecutors were seeking nine years while the lawyers representing Alves’s accuser wanted 12 years.
      Alves, who has been held in pre-trial detention since his arrest last year, was then transferred back to Brians 2 prison.
      Most read in Football
      Speaking outside the court, Alves’s lawyer Inés Guardiola said they were planning to appeal the sentence.
      She told reporters:” Four and a half years is much better than 9 and 12 that the accusation requested, but we are going to appeal because I still believe in Mr. Alves’ innocence. 
      Dani Alves’ model ex Joana Sanz arrives at court to reveal what ‘drunk’ ex-Barcelona star told her moments after ‘rape’
      “We are going to review the sentence, but I can tell you that we are going to appeal.
      “We continue to believe in the innocence of Mr. Alves. He already knows the sentence and is whole.
      “We will defend his innocence to the end.”
      Alves had appeared before court two weeks ago and denied the allegations insisting the encounter had been consensual. 
      He denied any wrongdoing, telling his defence lawyer that he is “not that type of man”.
      The three-day trial at Barcelona’s Audiencia Provincial Court saw the victim, witnesses and experts testifying.
      His accuser told the prosecution that she had willingly entered the bathroom with him, but that he forced her to stay after she wanted to leave.
      During the first day of the footballer’s trial, a friend and cousin of his accuser claimed he also groped them in the VIP area.
      The two women claim he then invited their friend, the alleged rape victim, to follow him through a separate door after flirting with her.
      The dad-of-two has made repeated bail requests but they have all been turned down, with judges saying his alleged victim’s version of events was coherent and pointing out Alves had changed his story several times as the evidence authorities have against him has emerged.
      He was sacked by Mexican side UNAM Pumas following his arrest after he flew back to Barcelona to attend his mother-in-law’s funeral.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      As well as two spells at Barcelona, Alves has played for Seville, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Sao Paulo.
      Sanz claimed her ex-husband stumbled on furniture after coming home that nightCredit: Instagram @joanasanz
      Alves was transferred back to Brian 2 prison after the sentencingCredit: EPA More

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      Dani Alves news — Ex-Barcelona star to appeal court decision after being found guilty of rape

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      FORMER Barcelona star Dani Alves has been jailed for more than four years after being found guilty of raping a woman in a Spanish nightclub.The court ordered that Alves pay £130,000 (150,000 euros) to the victim and sentenced him to four and a half years behind bars.
      “The sentence considers that it has been proven that the victim did not consent, and that there is evidence, in addition to the testimony of the plaintiff, to consider the rape proven,” the court said in a statement.
      The Brazilian right-back has denied the allegations and is set to appeal the decision.
      Alves previously admitted to having sex with a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022 but insisted it was consensual.
      Follow our live blog below for the latest news and updates…
      Alves’ wife posts selfie a few minutes after sentencing
      Dani Alves’ estranged wife Joana Sanz posted a glowing selfie just minutes after the former footballer was found guilty of rape.
      The Spanish model appeared unfazed in the snap she uploaded on her Instagram story – just a few minutes after the sentence of her ex-husband was announced.
      Sanz, who is in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria for an advertisement shoot, according to El Español, posted a series of snaps on Instagram.

      Copy linkCopiedAlves reportedly asked Neymar for help
      Dani Alves contacted his friend and former teammate Neymar Jr for financial and legal help, according to Brazilian media.
      UOL Esporte reported earlier this year that Neymar’s father, Neymar Sr, gave Alves money to help pay a €150,000 fine to the Spanish courts for “mitigating compensation for damaged caused.”
      Alves also reportedly appointed Gustavo Xisto, a long-serving legal representative for Neymar Sr’s businesses, as his lawyer in June last year.
      Alves and Neymar Jr were teammates at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazilian national team.
      Credit: Reuters
      Copy linkCopiedWho is Dani Alves?
      Alves’s new life behind bars is a far cry from his career as a footballer, which included him playing as a right-back for La Liga side Barcelona.
      During his time on the pitch, he won six La Liga titles, two Ligue 1 titles and the Serie A.
      Alves also won the UEFA Champions League on three occasions while playing for Barcelona in 2009, 2011 and 2015.
      After a successful spell in Spain, Alves moved to Juventus in 2016 on a free transfer.
      He helped the Turin club to a League title, a Coppa Italia and was an important part of the side that reached the 2017 UEFA Champions League final, losing to Real Madrid.
      After just one season in Italy, Alves joined French side Paris Saint-Germain, where he enjoyed further trophy success.
      Copy linkCopiedWhat has Dani Alves been found guilty of?
      Dani Alves has been found guilty of raping a woman in the toilet of a Barcelona nightclub.
      The Brazilian defender was accused of raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub on December 30, 2022.
      He has previously confirmed he had sex with a woman in the nightclub’s toilet but insisted it was consensual.
      Alves has been held in pre-trial detention since his arrest in January 2023.
      He has now been jailed for four and a half years.
      Copy linkCopiedHow long will Dani Alves go to jail for?
      Alves was sentenced to four-and-a-half years behind bars for rape.
      The court also ordered Alves to pay £130K (150,000 euros) in compensation to the victim.
      The ruling included a nine-and-a-half-year restraining order from the accuser.
      The court said in a statement: “The sentence considers that it has been proven that the victim did not consent and that there is evidence, in addition to the testimony of the plaintiff, to consider the rape proven.”
      Following the sentence, Alves was sent to Brians 2 prison in Barcelona. He had previously been held in pre-trial detention since his arrest in January 2023.
      Alves can appeal his sentence.
      Copy linkCopiedAlves changed his testimony several times
      Dani Alves changed his story several times as the evidence authorities had against him emerged.
      The Brazillian footballer has been held in pre-trial detention since his arrest in January 2023, and was denied repeated bail requests by judges who said his story was inconsistent, while his victim’s version of events remained coherent.
      He first denied knowing his accuser, only to later claim that they had met but nothing happened between them.
      He then changed his version of events again, claiming they had consexual sex: “We were both enjoying ourselves,” he alleged.
      Copy linkCopiedAlves showed no remorse
      Dani Alves refused to apologise to his victim in an interview with a Spanish journalist last year while he was in prison.
      In an exclusive interview from his cell in Brians 2 Prison near Barcelona last June with Spanish TV and newspaper reporter Mayka Navarro, he claimed: “The only person I have to ask for forgiveness is my wife, Joana Sanz.”
      Copy linkCopiedDani Alves could be released in May 2025
      Dani Alves could be released as early as May 2025, despite being sentenced today to four years in prison.
      This is because the ex-Barcelona star has already served one year and one month in prison.
      According to Marca, this could see a judge grant the footballer an early release as soon as May next year.
      Copy linkCopied’A triumph of feminism’
      The general secretary of the left-wing party Podemos has declared Dani Alves’ jailing as a “triumph of feminism.”
      Ione Belarra said: “Years ago this case would have fallen into total impunity.
      “Everyone knows that a rich and famous sexual offender would have gotten away completely unscathed.
      “The sentence is a triumph of feminism.”
      Copy linkCopied‘Anguish and terror’
      The complainant told the court of the “anguish and terror” she felt after Alves’ alleged attack.
      One of her friends told the court she had cried “uncontrollably” after leaving the bathroom.
      The 23-year-old said Alves was both physically and verbally abusive towards her before raping her in the bathroom of a high-end Barcelona nightclub.
      Copy linkCopiedDani Alves to appeal court decision
      Dani Alves’ defence lawyer, Inés Guardiola, has announced to the press at Barcelona Court that they will appeal the sentence, as per Marca. 
      “We are going to review the sentence, but I can tell you that we are going to appeal,” the lawyer said.
      “We continue to believe in the innocence of Mr. Alves. He already knows the sentence and is whole.
      “We will defend his innocence to the end.”
      Copy linkCopiedDani Alves’ career as former Barcelona star jailed for rape
      As well as two spells at Barcelona, Dani Alves played for Seville, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Sao Paulo during his playing career.
      Considered by many the greatest full-backs of all time, he became the oldest player to represent Brazil at the World Cup in December 2022 in Qatar.
      He has now been jailed for more than four years after being found guilty of rape.
      Copy linkCopiedFootballer’s ex claims Alves ‘stank of alcohol’
      Dani Alves’ ex-wife says he “stank of alcohol and collapsed in bed” after arriving home from a night out where he allegedly raped a woman.
      Model Joana Sanz told her ex-husband’s rape trial in Barcelona that Alves also rang her “drunk” from the club where he allegedly forced himself on a 23-year-old woman.
      The Brazilian defender, 40, has been jailed for raping a woman in the toilet of an upmarket Barcelona nightclub on December 30, 2022.
      Copy linkCopiedThe timeline of Dani Alves’ case

      December 30, 2022: A woman alleges she was sexually assaulted in the toilets of Sutton nightclub
      January 1, 2023: Cops in Barcelona are investigating an alleged sexual assault in a nightclub involving Dani Alves.
      January 5, 2023: Dani Alves’s alleged victim makes a formal complaint claiming she was sexually assaulted. CCTV footage shows Alves had been alone for 47 seconds in a toilet at the nightclub with his accuser
      January 20, 2023: Alves had been remanded in custody by a judge in Barcelona. He initially denies ever meeting his accuser but later confirms they had sex in the nightclub’s toilets – but insists was consensual
      January 31, 2023: His wife Joana Sanz, 29, demands divorce
      February 8, 2023: It emerges that Alves is said to be receiving ‘VIP treatment’ in prison
      March 17, 2023: Alves is going on hunger strike following split from wife
      November 14, 2023: The footballer is ordered to stand trial for the alleged assault
      November 24, 2023: Prosecutors demand nine years jail time and to pay the alleged victim  £130,000, if found guilty
      February 5, 2024: Alves appears in court in Spain facing twelve years in jail
      February 6 2024: Joana Sanz testified in court about a “drunk” phone call her husband made to her after the alleged assault
      February 7 2024: Alves tells a Spanish court the encounter was consensual
      February 22 2004: Alves is jailed for more than four years after being found guilty of rape.

      Copy linkCopiedVictim recounts attack
      Dani Alves’ accuser told the prosecution that she was forced to stay in the bathroom with the footballer after asking to leave.
      She claimed he was aggressive with her, insulting and slapping her before forcing the victim to have sex with him.
      During the first day of the footballer’s trial a friend and cousin of his accuser claimed he also groped them in the VIP area.
      The two women claim he then invited their friend, the alleged rape victim, to follow him through a separate door after flirting with her.
      Copy linkCopiedWhat has Dani Alves been found guilty of?
      Dani Alves has been found guilty of raping a woman in the toilet of a Barcelona nightclub.
      The Brazilian defender was accused of raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub on December 30, 2022.
      He has previously confirmed he had sex with a woman in the nightclub’s toilet but insisted it was consensual.
      Alves has been held in pre-trial detention since his arrest in January 2023.
      He has now been jailed for four and a half years.
      Copy linkCopiedEx-Barcelona star found guilty of rape
      Ex-Barcelona star Dani Alves has been jailed for more than four years after being found guilty of raping a woman in a Spanish nightclub.
      The court ordered that Alves pay £130,000 (150,000 euros) to the victim and sentenced him to four and a half years behind bars.
      “The sentence considers that it has been proven that the victim did not consent, and that there is evidence, in addition to the testimony of the plaintiff, to consider the rape proven,” the court said in a statement.
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