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CONVICTED rapist Dani Alves has left prison today after spending just weeks behind bars.The ex-Barcelona ace paved the way for his release after stumping up the £850,000 bail he needed and should be back in the comfort of his Spanish home in the coming hours. Dani Alves alongside his lawyer Ines Guardiola leaving prison todayCredit: RexThe Brazilian defender should be back to his Spanish home later this evening where he can stay until his appeal has been ruled onCredit: ReutersAlves was convicted of rape in February but has only served a month behind barsCredit: APAlves walked free after he struggled to stump up the cash needed to make bail last weekCredit: ReutersAlves was silent as he walked out alongside his lawyer Ines Guardiola at around 4:25pm local time.The disgraced ex footballer hopped straight into a car wearing jeans, and a black jacket over a white roll-neck jumper.Despite only spending a few weeks in jail he was seen sporting a moustache as he left.The footballer is also understood to have complied with the other orders of the three judges who said he could leave jail despite his recent rape conviction by handing in his Spanish and Brazilian passports.read more in Dani AlvesHe was told he could leave Brians 2 Prison near Barcelona last Wednesday after winning his bid to appeal his four-and-a-half year jail sentence from the comfort of his own home rather than a cell.But the 40-year-old spent the weekend still locked up as he failed to find the cash to get free from the Spanish jail.Brazilian teammate Neymar’s dad had been expected to help Alves pay the money to secure his freedom, but he issued a statement denying he would hand over any cash after coming under political pressure in his homeland.The Brazilian had made several attempts before his conviction to get bail, but they were turned down partly on the basis he was a flight risk.Most read in FootballAlves is now set to live in the comfort of his £4million home in Esplugues de LLobregat – a 25-minute drive west of Barcelona – as his lawyers go through the appeal process, reports say.The dad-of-two managed to pay his bail earlier today.A court spokesman said: “We inform you that Daniel Alves’ bail bond has been deposited in the account of the 21st section of the Barcelona Court of Appeal.”Prosecutors have appealed the decision to release him on bail, but the appeal did not affect today’s release.The 23-year-old victim’s lawyer, Ester Garcia, described Alves’ release as “scandalous”, branding it as “justice for the rich”.International footballer Alves was accused of raping the woman in a nightclub in Barcelona on December 30, 2022.Alves claimed the sexual encounter was consensual, insisting “he would never hurt anyone”.I’m very surprised and totally outraged because it’s like this is justice for the richEster Garciavictim’s lawyerHe was found guilty of rape and sentenced to four-and-a-half years behind bars in February.But on March 20, 2024 a court ruled he could appeal his conviction and get out of his hellhole jail while his team, headed by Ines Guardiola, carried out the appeal.His bail was set at his €1million (£850,000) – a figure originally thought to be getting paid for by pal Neymar Jr’s father, say LaVanguardia.Neymar da Silva Santos Sr had been expected to help Alves pay the money to secure his freedom, but he issued a statement denying he would hand over any cash after coming under political pressure in his homeland.He said: “For us, for my family, this matter is over. Full stop.” Neymar’s father didn’t specify how much they gave Alves but added that it’s a “different situation” now because the three judge panel at the Barcelona Provincial Court ruled against him.”With the Spanish court ruling for his conviction, there’s speculation and an attempt to associate my name and my son’s to a matter that is not within our reach any longer,” Neymar’s father said in the family’s statement.He added that he hopes Alves “can find all the answers he looks for in his own family.”Dani Alves guilty of raping woman in nightclub bathroom with ex-Barcelona star jailed for more than 4 yearsAlves’ team requested that the disgraced full back was released as he had already served a quarter of his sentence in pre-trial detention following his arrest in January 2023.Garcia blasted the decision to let him walk out as she fumed on RAC1 radio: “I’m very surprised and totally outraged… because it’s like this is justice for the rich.”Before adding: “It is scandalous that they can free a person who they know can get hold of a million euros in a heartbeat.”The bail conditions set by the court say Alves must stay at least 1,000m away from the home of the victim or any other place she frequently goes.He is also banned from ever contacting her and must handover his Brazilian and Spanish passports.The court feared Alves could leave Spain and travel to his native Brazil to try and avoid serving anymore jail time.He will now return to his multimillion-pound home a short drive from Barcelona.It was built in 2010 when he was still married to his ex-wife Dinorah Santana before he met and married Tenerife-born model Joana Sanz.Sanz revealed last year she had demanded a divorce after Alves admitted for the first time to having sex with the woman he was found guilty of raping, but claimed as he still does that the relations were consensual.Media waiting outside the prison for Alves’ release last weekCredit: EPAAlves left the Brians 2 prison where he was being heldCredit: ReutersDani Alves relationship to Joana Sanz broke down after the shocking rape accusations came outCredit: GettyDani Alves walked away from his Brians 2 prison after meeting the bail conditionsCredit: ReutersWORLDWIDE REACTIONSBrazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned Alves’ release.He said on Wednesday: “The money that Daniel Alves has, the money that someone can lend him, cannot buy the offence that a man does to a woman by committing rape.”It comes as residents of Barcelona – where Alves was once seen as an icon – blasted the court’s ruling to free him on bail.I think it’s shameful and they are showing once again that woman don’t matter, that our rights don’t matterBarcelona residentOne woman said: “I think it’s shameful and they are showing once again that woman don’t matter, that our rights don’t matter.”If you have money and you are a man, you can do whatever you want and you won’t have to pay.”As a second angered local told AS TV: “Sentences must be served and executed equally. “If you have a sentence then you have to fulfil it not just pay their way out of it because they have a lot of money.”As a man also gave his view saying “evil” things can’t be forgotten about simply because of money.Alves’ mum posted a collection of pictures on Instagram on Wednesday of her son hours after he was allowed to make bail and leave prison.They were captioned: “Victory has come for the honor and glory of the Lord, thank you my God.”What God has joined together no one can separate.”In a separate post she also said: “For all those who only believe in the justice of men @danialves is free. “Free from European justice as I was told. But I believe in divine justice. And I always believed in his innocence.”And Alves’ former wife Joana Sanz deactivated her Instagram account just hours after he was granted release on bail.Despite filing for divorce in 2023 after the explosive accusations surfaced, Joana did back Alves in court claiming she was with him the night of the accusations.It is currently uncertain what the pair’s status is after Joana accidentally shared a bizarre letter from her rapist ex where he declares his love for her from jail.WHAT HAPPENED IN COURT?In a trial held in Barcelona in February 2024, he denied the allegations saying the sexual encounter had been completely consensual. The three-day trial saw the victim, witnesses, and experts testify.His accuser told the prosecution she had willingly entered the bathroom with him, but was then forced to stay after wanting to leave.She told the court Alves allegedly slapped and insulted her before forcing her into having sex.Alves did confirm he had sex with the woman in the nightclub’s toilet but insisted it was consensual.Alves was found guilty of rape and sentenced to four-and-a-half years behind bars.The court also ordered Alves to pay £130,000 (€150k) in compensation to the victim.The sentence considers that it has been proven that the victim did not consent and that there is evidence to consider the rape provenCourt statementHe also faced 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.Despite filing for divorce in 2023 after the explosive accusations surfaced, Joana did back Alves when she took to the stand.During her testimony on February 6, 2024, Joana claimed they were not legally divorced and that she had been with Alves on the night of the accusation.Joana told the court Alves “smelled of alcohol” and “he bumped into several pieces of furniture and collapsed on the bed” after arriving home from the night out.But she said she didn’t want to talk to him because of “the state he was in”.A disgraced Alves publicly apologised to Joana during an interview from his prison cell in 2023.He told Spanish reporter Mayka Navarro: “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.”It comes as former Man City star Robinho, 40, was arrested at his home on Thursday by Federal Police in Sao Paulo.He is now set to finally serve his nine-year jail sentence for a gang-rape committed in Italy, Brazil’s Supreme Court ruled.READ MORE SUN STORIESItaly issued an international arrest warrant for Robinho, but the former Premier League star managed to dodge jail for seven years while living in Brazil.The former Santos star says he is innocent.The ex-Barcelona ace is one of the most decorated footballers ever but has spent the last few months embroiled in the shock accusations against himCredit: AFPAlves on the dock during his trial at the start of 2024Credit: EPAThe lawyer of Alves’ victim Ester Garcia labelled the decision to release him ‘scandalous’Credit: The Mega AgencyJoana took to the stand at Alves’ trial and claimed she was with him the night of the accusationsCredit: instagram/joanasanzNeymar da Silva Santos Sr released an 11-word statement after refusing to pay Dani Alves’ bailCredit: AFPAlves’ lawyers Ines Guardiola said her client has already served a quarter of his sentence in pre-trial detention after being arrested last JanuaryCredit: ReutersFormer Manchester City forward Robinho is finally set to serve his nine-year prison sentence for a gang-rape in ItalyCredit: AFP More

FORMER Man City footballer Robinho is set to live inside a tiny isolation cell as he begins his nine year sentence for a gang-rape.The disgraced 40-year-old has been transferred to a chilling Brazilian prison in Tremembé alongside murderers and fellow rapists who are made to make toilet cleaner.Robinho being arrestedCredit: Fábio Pires/TV TribunaFootball star Robinho is now serving a nine year sentence for a gang-rape in Italy in 2013Credit: APRobinho has been sent to a chilling Brazilian prison in Tremembé alongside murderers and fellow rapistsCredit: Laurene Santos/TV VanguardaRobinho was one of a group of six men convicted of sexually assaulting an Albanian woman in a club in 2013.Italy issued an international arrest warrant for Robinho, but the former Premier League star managed to dodge jail for seven years while living in Sao Paulo.He says he is innocent and his defence team is reportedly filing an appeal against the decision.Robinho is due to spend the first 10 days at least in a temporary holding cell completely by himself.read more in disgraced athleteHere he will be under observation by guards and made to do tests by doctors, psychologists and social workers. The cold, lonely enclosure is made up of little to be admired.As the tiny 8m squared concrete block Robinho will now call home only has a single bed, small sink and a toilet built into the floor.A barred up window will also provide just a glimpse of the outside world.Most read in FootballHe could stay here for up to 30 days depending on how his evaluation goes. While in the cell all activities are isolated, report g1 and he will be given four meals each day.Decapitated inmates & jailhouse warlords – inside Brazil’s hellish prisons where ex-Man City star Robinho faces 9 yearsThe first at 6am and the last at 5:30pm.Robinho will then be moved to the common housing pavilion within the Penitentiary Two (P2) jail.Here he will meet up with the other 430 prisoners for the first time. Tremembé is notorious for housing high level criminals including child killers, murderers and other rapists.All inmates inside the hellhole jail are made to wear matching outfits of a white t-shirt and khaki pants – a far cry from Robinho’s typical football kit.Although the prison grounds do have a football pitch for inmates to use.Robinho will be expected to work during his time behind bars potentially making school desks and chairs or even toilet disinfectant tablets – something the P2 jail is known for.Robinho was pictured in a police car being transported to his new home in jailCredit: EPAThe former Manchester City player has escaped prison for seven years by hiding out in BrazilCredit: GettyRobinho with his wife Vivian Guglielmetti JunitsCredit: ReutersInmates also have access to drama based lessons and other workshops in reading, literacy and origami.Brazil’s prisons have been dubbed “hell on earth” before and for good reason as inmates have been found decapitated after savage attacks as drug warlords call all the shots.The country’s prisons have notoriously horrid living conditions with overcrowding, violence, harsh punishments and gang wars being only some of the many problems the underfunded facilities face.Harrowing photos show dozens of inmates crammed in one cell, lying head-to-toe across the floor.Timeline of Robinho’s rape caseThe rape case involving Brazilian footballer Robinho spans several years. Here’s a brief timeline:

January 22, 2013: Robinho was one of a group of six men convicted of sexually assaulting an Albanian woman in a club during his stint for AC Milan.
2014: Brazilian media reported on the allegations against Robinho, but no formal charges were filed at that time.
2017: Robinho was found guilty of sexual assault by an Italian court and sentenced to nine years in prison. However, he denied the charges and appealed the verdict.
2020: After the appeal process, Robinho’s sentence was upheld by the Italian court. But due to the statute of limitations in Italy, he was not extradited to serve his sentence.
2022: Robinho’s prison sentence is ratified.
March 2023: Robinho surrendered his passport to authorities
November 2023: Italian prosecutors said they felt Robinho should serve his time in Brazil.
March 20, 2024: Brazil’s Superior Court formed a simple majority and voted for Robinho to serve the sentence in his home country.

CLAIMS OF INNOCENCERobinho, who has claimed he is innocent, accused the Italian justice system of “racism” and said the encounter in 2013 was “consensual”.He told a Brazilian network TV Record on Sunday: “I hope that here in Brazil I can have the voice that I didn’t have there.””I never denied it (the encounter). I could have denied it because my DNA was not there, but I’m not a liar.”I played for four years in Italy and I got tired of seeing stories about racism. The same people who do nothing about racism, which I repudiate, are the ones who condemned me.”A Brazilian news outlet previously published audio recordings obtained by Italian authorities which included Robinho discussing the case with friends.In one clip he says: “We will punch her in her face. You will punch her in the face and say; ‘What did I do to you?'”And in another: “That is why I am laughing, I don’t care at all.”The girl was extremely drunk, she doesn’t even know who I am.”A further leaked conversation shows him saying: “If this comes out in the press, it will screw me.”Robinho played for clubs including Real Madrid, Manchester City and AC Milan, and signed a contract in 2020 to return to his first club in Brazil, Santos.However, the deal almost immediately fell apart after sponsors reportedly threatened to cut ties with the club for signing a player convicted of rape.Speaking after the Santos announcement, the striker took to Instagram to admit: “Guys, this is Robinho.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Of course, with a lot of sadness in my heart, I’m here to tell you that I made the decision with the club president to suspend my contract at this troubled time in my life.“My goal has always been to help Santos Football Club and if in any way I’m getting in the way, it’s best I leave and focus on my personal things.”Brazilian prisons are severely overcrowded with dozens of inmates living in one cellThe left winger hasn’t played football since 2020Credit: Getty – Contributor More

A FORMER Premier League star was found slumped at the wheel and four times the drink-drive limit.Richard Ord, who twice helped Sunderland AFC win promotion to the top flight, had stopped to buy a bottle of vodka from a local Co-op.Richard Ord was found drunk behind the wheelCredit: NNPConcerned staff called police, who found the 54-year-old slumped over the wheel of his car.The ex-defender was found to have 144mg of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit being 35.Ord swerved jail and was instead banned from driving for eight months after admitting driving with excess alcohol.Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard the incident unfolded in February as Ord stopped at the shops.Read more newsLiz McGowan, prosecuting, said: “He was outside the shop, staff saw him buy a bottle of vodka and were concerned about his appearance.“They alerted the police and they found slumped over the wheel of the car.“He appeared intoxicated and he was breathalysed but officers. His reading was 144mg of alcohol to 100ml of breath.”The court was told Ord is now tackling his alcohol problems and is also on benefits following the end of his career.Most read in FootballAs well as a driving ban, he was given a six month community order and told to attend 12 rehabilitation activity requirement days.Ord was also fined £150 with an additional £114 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.District Judge Steven Hood said: “You came to court as a man of good character but you can no longer call yourself that.”Ord joined Sunderland in 1986 after he left school and played for his boyhood team for more than a decade.He helped the Black Cats secure promotion twice in the 1990s during his 253 appearances.The footballer also had a stint at Queen’s Park Rangers but was injured and never got to play for the club.He later managed non-league Durham City for two years but resigned in 2012.Ord played for his boyhood club for ten yearsCredit: NNP More