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      Dani Alves denies ‘nightclub toilet rape’ & says ‘I’m not that type of man’ as ex-Barcelona star faces 12 years in jail

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      EX BARCELONA star Dani Alves has denied allegations that he sexually assaulted a young woman in a nightclub.After two days of testimonies from the alleged victim, witnesses, and experts, the 40-year-old defender told a Spanish court that their encounter had been consensual. 
      Dani Alves has testified in court on the last day of his three-day trialCredit: Reuters
      Model Joana Sanz said her ex-husband “stank of alcohol” when he went home the night of the alleged attackCredit: EPA
      The verdict is expected to be delivered in weeks
      The Brazilian footballer is accused of raping a woman in the toilet of  Sutton nightclub in Barcelona in the early hours of December 31, 2022.
      He has denied any wrongdoing, telling his defence lawyer that he is “not that type of man”.
      His accuser told the prosecution that she had been dancing with the footballer and had willingly entered the bathroom with him, but that he forced her to stay after she wanted to leave.
      She claims that he was aggressive with her, slapping her and insulting her, and then forced her to have sex with him.
      READ MORE ON DANI ALVES
      In response, Alves said: “She never told me to stop. We were both enjoying ourselves.”
      He claimed that the woman never asked to leave the bathroom and also denied having been aggressive with her.
      State prosecutors are seeking for him to be jailed for nine years if convicted while the lawyers representing his accuser want 12 years.
      Alves was escorted in handcuffs into the small courtroom of Barcelona’s Audiencia Provincial Court for the trial that is expected to conclude today.
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      A verdict normally takes weeks to be delivered.
      The alleged victim testified on Monday behind closed doors on order of the court.
      State prosecutors asked for the court to take extra measures to protect her identity after a video circulated on social media last month that allegedly identified the woman.
      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 previously confirmed he had sex with a woman in the nightclub’s toilet but insisted it was consensual.
      His ex-wife Joana Sanz told the court Alves Sanz told the court Alves “smelled of alcohol” and “he bumped into several pieces of furniture and collapsed on the bed” after arriving home the night of the alleged assault.
      But she said she didn’t want to talk to him because of “the state he was in”.
      Alves initially claimed he had never met his female accuser before telling a judge in a court hearing he had lied to cover up his “marital infidelity.”
      The footballer was ordered to stand trial last November.
      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.
      He 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.
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      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’ family speaking to a court official in Barcelona
      Alves has denied any wrongdoingCredit: AFP
      He has been accused of raping a woman in the toilets of Sutton in BarcelonaTimeline of Dani Alves’s 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 More

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      Iconic stadium looks unrecognisable with army of cranes at work and dozens of builders amid concerns over progress

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      THE NOU CAMP looks unrecognisable as work on its £1BILLION renovation project continues.Barcelona’s home ground has been one of football’s most iconic stadium for more than 60 years.
      The Nou Camp looks unrecognisable as work continues on the groundCredit: Rex
      The renovations are set to cost around £1billionCredit: Rex
      It is hard to believe it is the same iconic venueCredit: Rex
      Barcelona are not set to move back into the stadium until the 2025/26 seasonCredit: Rex
      It is expected to hold around 105,000 peopleCredit: Rex
      The stadium is a legendary venue in the Spanish cityCredit: Rex
      First built in 1957, it’s played host to numerous legendary matches in front of a bumper crowd of nearly 100,000 people.
      But the project to modernise the facilities has left it utterly decimated.
      The construction has seen the third tier of the stadium completely removed.
      All the seats have been torn out as dozens of workers use cranes to work in the dusty surroundings.
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      Barcelona have been forced to relocate for this season and are playing their home games at the Estadi Lluis Companys Stadium – which holds a maximum of just under 56,000 people.
      Work began on the Nou Camp renovations in June last year and it is not expected to be completed until the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
      However, there are concerns it may not be done in time after a setback with obtaining the necessary licence.
      Barcelona’s plans will see the capacity of the ground expanded to an incredible 105,000 people.
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      CGI mock-ups showed how the stadium will eventually look with a roof being added and a modernised vibe given to the ageing arena.
      Previously the upper tier of the Camp Nou only sat on 50 per cent of the stadium, but the new works will see the new stand curve all the way around the ground.
      Designs released by the club also showed the roof will be plastered with the name of their stadium sponsor, Spotify.
      Cash-strapped football giants selling tufts of iconic stadium’s GRASS for £340 as fans say ‘how the mighty have fallen’
      But manager Xavi will not lead Barcelona out at the newly-renovated Nou Camp.
      The iconic midfielder confirmed last month that he will leave the club at the end of the season.
      Barcelona are eight points adrift of Real Madrid at the top of the LaLiga table and out of the Copa del Rey.
      The will face Napoli in the last 16 of the Champions League, but Xavi has already insisted he will depart in the summer.
      He said: “I will leave Barcelona in June.
      “We have reached a point of no return. It’s time for change.
      “As a Cule, I think that it’s time to leave. I spoke with the board and the club today. I will leave on the 30th of June.”
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      He went on to add: “I took this decision days ago. I already knew it. But it’s time to make it public.
      “I think the players could not free themselves up. I don’t want to be a problem for the club, but the opposite.”
      The third tier of the stadium has been completely ripped upCredit: Rex
      A roof is also being added the the groundCredit: Rex More

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      ‘I felt like I was drowning’ – Sergio Aguero reveals horror final Barcelona match and told opponent ‘stop the game’

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      SERGIO AGUERO has opened up on what he was feeling during his last game for Barcelona.The Argentine suffered from chest pains and dizziness before he was taken off the pitch.
      Sergio Aguero suffered from dizziness and chest pains in his final matchCredit: Getty
      The striker hung up his boots after the gameCredit: EPA
      He announced his decision in an emotional press conferenceCredit: Getty
      Aguero, 35, was diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia after he was forced off just 41 minutes into his first start for the LaLiga giants.
      He had joined the Spanish giants in the summer of 2021 on a free transfer from Manchester City.
      However, on his first start for the club against Deportivo Alaves, he had to have treatment on the pitch as he felt like he was “going to faint”.
      He told Clank Media: “I felt like I was drowning, I didn’t feel pain.
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      “I had a lot of pressure in my head. I figured it was because I was physically ill and I thought, ‘S**t, I’m so bad.’
      “I jumped for a header. They went to counter and I started to get dizzy.
      “I felt like I was going to faint and I wanted to calm down. I wanted to say something and the words didn’t come out.
      “I grabbed the hand of the Alaves captain as if to say, ‘Stop the game.’
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      “He started screaming and they stopped the game.
      “When I calmed down, I felt like my heart started beating faster.
      Watch Sergio Aguero SCORE in first game back since retiring with heart condition then copy pal Messi’s celebration
      “That’s where the arrhythmia attack caught me.
      “A week before, it had happened to me in training but it had only been for 20 seconds.”
      Aguero officially retired from football at the Nou Camp in December 2021.
      He announced his decision in a press conference attended by his former manager Pep Guardiola.
      Aguero’s career by numbersSergio Aguero enjoyed a hugely successful career in which he won 20 titles and scored 427 goals in 756 appearance
      Career honours: Uefa Europa League, Uefa Super Cup, Premier League x 5, FA Cup, Carabao Cup x 6, Community Shield x 3, Fifa Under-20 World Cup x 2, Olympic Gold Medal, Copa America

      Independiente (2002-2006) – 56 games, 23 goals
      Atletico Madrid (2006-2011) – 234 games, 102 goals
      Manchester City (2011-2021) – 390 games, 260 goals
      Barcelona (2021) – 5 games, 1 goal
      Argentina (2006 – 2021) – 101 games, 41 goals More

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      Barcelona ‘face missing out on Mason Greenwood transfer to fierce rivals’ with Man Utd forward set for summer move

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      BARCELONA face missing out on signing Mason Greenwood this summer.The on-loan Getafe winger has emerged as a transfer target for fierce rivals Atletico Madrid.
      Mason Greenwood is on Atletico Madrid’s shortlist of summer striker targetsCredit: Rex
      Greenwood has caught the eye in Spain since joining Getafe on loan from Manchester United back in September.
      He has been strongly linked with joining Barcelona, who have been monitoring him all season.
      However, the Telegraph now report that the 22-year-old is on Atletico’s shortlist of summer striker targets.
      Greenwood is expected to secure a permanent transfer in the summer once his Getafe loan expires.
      READ MORE ON MASON GREENWOOD
      Atletico remain in the market for a forward after missing out on Moise Kean in January, the report adds.
      Barca are said to remain interested in Greenwood, but are at a disadvantage compared to Atletico due to their reduced spending power.
      The Spanish champions had hoped to tie up a deal prior to Atletico reportedly stepping up their interest.
      Greenwood, who sees joining Barcelona as a “dream move”, would have linked up with the club in June as part of the proposal.
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      However, his summer destination now remains up in the air, with Valencia and Real Sociedad both previously linked.
      Since joining Getafe, Greenwood has scored seven goals and provided four assists in 22 appearances.
      Mason Greenwood reveals ‘best feeling so far’ in rare interview after Getafe aces ‘take Man Utd loanee under their wing’
      He is currently the club’s second top scorer this season behind former Real Madrid striker Borja Mayoral on 16. More

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      Jude Bellingham’s alleged slur to Mason Greenwood reported to Spanish FA after Getafe vs Real Madrid altercation

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM’S alleged slur towards Mason Greenwood has been reported to the Spanish FA.The England midfielder was accused by fans of calling Greenwood a “rapist” after landing a tackle on the Getafe winger.
      Jude Bellingham’s alleged slur towards Mason Greenwood has been reported to the Spanish FACredit: Rex

      Supporters were convinced they spotted him mouth the insult during Real Madrid’s 2-0 win on Thursday.
      A section of Getafe fans were also accused of racially abusing Vinicius Jr. during the match.
      Marca report that LaLiga have reported both incidents to the Spanish FA.
      On Bellingham’s alleged comment, the league explained: “It must also be reported that after the end of the match, messages were detected through social media regarding a possible incident in which visiting player Jude Bellingham allegedly insulted local player Mason Greenwood in English after an action in the game.
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      “Numerous media outlets have reported on this incident, as confirmed in the attached incident report.”
      Racist chants of “Vinicius, monkey” from the home fans were also included in the report.
      The report adds that LaLiga have reported the chants to the Spanish hate prosecutor’s office.
      A lip reader had been called in after the match to investigate Getafe’s complaint against Bellingham.
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      Greenwood joined the club on loan from Manchester United in the summer, seven months after charges of attempted rape assault and coercive control were dropped.
      Meanwhile, Bellingham signed for Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in a £115million deal back in July.
      Fans spot Jude Bellingham’s classy gesture after facing Greenwood’s Getafe as they say ‘England captain material’
      He has since scored 18 goals and added eight assists in 28 appearances.
      Thursday’s match at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez was the first meeting of two English players in the Spanish top flight for 22 years. More

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      Kylian Mbappe ‘set to earn more than Jude Bellingham’s entire transfer fee in incredible Real Madrid signing-on bonus’

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE is reportedly set to earn MORE than Jude Bellingham’s entire transfer fee with his Real Madrid signing-on bonus.Mbappe, 25, is out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
      Kylian Mbappe is set to pocket a monster signing-on bonus at Real MadridCredit: Getty
      The sum could be greater than Jude Bellingham’s £115m transfer fee last summerCredit: Alamy
      And reports claim he has decided to join Real on a sensational free transfer.
      The World Cup winner, who has 29 goals this season, is set to line up in a stunning team including Vinicius Jr and England star Bellingham.
      But despite technically being a free transfer, Mbappe’s signing will not come cheap for Real.
      A transfer expert claims that because there will be no fee for PSG, the Frenchman will instead be able to pocket an enormous signing-on bonus.
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      Andy Brassell told talkSPORT that this could be as much as £128.5million — £13.5m more than the £115m Real paid Borussia Dortmund for Bellingham last summer.
      He said: “Of course the fact is Mbappe will be leaving about €80million (£68.5m) on the table as well in terms of loyalty bonus.
      “That is how he got himself back in the team at PSG in autumn by agreeing to that.
      “A free transfer as a free transfer is not free. There’s always a huge signing-on fee.
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      “So he would be getting an estimated €150m (£128.5m) signing-on fee from Real Madrid.
      “Very unusually for Real Madrid, they would be letting him keep the majority of his image rights.
      Erik ten Hag’s hilarious response when kids ask if he will sign Mbappe & Bellingham for Man Utd
      “Which obviously could run into not even the tens of millions but the hundreds of millions.”
      Brassell also revealed Mbappe is likely to be taking a 50 per cent pay cut to move to Real.
      But that will still see him earn a massive £30m-a-year.
      Brassell added: “We have said all along that this move wasn’t about money.
      “Now, bear in mind, that he’s been earning under his contract at PSG for the last coming up to two years €72m (61.5m) per year before tax.
      “So that is about €56m (£48m) net with the French tax laws as they are.
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      “It looks like he is going to earn €35m (£30m) a year at Real Madrid. So we are talking about him taking a 50 per cent pay cut.
      “Now he was always going to choose PSG if it was about the money but we always said it was not down to the money.” More

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      New audio footage appears to show VAR get rules completely wrong with last minute penalty decision in huge clash

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      NEW audio footage appears to show VAR officials get the rules completely wrong leading to a decision that almost certainly cost Barcelona.The Spanish giants were in action against Getafe back in August and hunting for a late winner when they thought they were awarded a penalty.
      This one is 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐥 👀In the 103rd minute, Barcelona think they’ve got a penalty after the referee heads to the screen on the advice of VAR but they’re wrong…#GetafeBarca pic.twitter.com/W1ZUBP5Dly— ITV Football (@itvfootball) August 13, 2023

      VAR audio appears to have called into question a huge decision between Barcelona and Getafe in August
      Following an alleged foul on Ronald Araujo, referee Soto Grado went over to the pitchside monitor to review the footage.
      After the review, Grado deemed there to have been a handball offence by Barcelona player Gavi, so controversially ruled a free-kick to Getafe rather than awarding a penalty.
      The teams drew the game 0-0 thanks to the decision which came right at the end of the match.
      However, the audio files of that game have now been published, causing fresh controversy.
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      According to Mundo Deportivo, a voice can be heard at the start of the recording saying: “Caution Gavi”.
      But the report states that the voice is NOT of the referee or VAR referee, Iglesias Villanueva.
      It is not clear whether the voice was from one of the on-field or fourth officials or from the VAR assistant.
      If it is determined that the voice came from an official on the field of play, there would be no issue.
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      On the other hand, if the voice is deemed to have come from VAR then it would represent them overstepping what they are allowed to do.
      Football rule makers Ifab state a VAR review can only be initiated by the on-field referee and can only intervene at certain times.
      Mourinho’s BIGGEST Barcelona bust-ups over the years
      These are:

      1. Goal/no goal
      2. Penalty/no penalty
      3. Direct red card (not second yellow card/caution)
      4. Mistaken identity (when the referee cautions or sends off the wrong player of the offending team)

      Barcelona are said to have communicated “great discomfort” towards the news.
      The Catalan club are enduring a nightmare season, currently sit third in the LaLiga table, eight points behind Real Madrid in first.
      So bad have things become that manager Xavi announced he would be stepping down at the end of the season. More

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      Miguel Angel dead aged 76: Legendary Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeper passes away after 14-month battle with ALS

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      LEGENDARY Real Madrid goalkeeper Miguel Angel has died at the age of 76.The former Spain international passed away after a 14-month battle with ALS.
      Legendary Real Madrid goalkeeper Miguel Angel has died aged 76Credit: Alamy
      He passed away after a 14-month battle with ALSCredit: Getty
      He was diagnosed with the rare disease in December 2022, with Real Madrid supporting his fight against the illness.
      The club confirmed his passing on Tuesday morning in an official statement.
      In the statement, the club extended their condolences to Angel’s wife Maria del Pilar and their family.
      Angel spent 18 seasons with Los Blancos between 1968 and 1986.
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      During that time, he won 16 major trophies, including two Uefa Cups and eight La Liga titles.
      He was also the winner of the Zamora Trophy in 1975/76, an award given to the goalkeeper with the lowest goals conceded-to-games ratio.
      As well as his time with the Spanish giants, Angel also featured for hometown club Atletico Orense and Castellon during his career.
      At international level, Angel was capped 18 times by Spain and was a member of two World Cups squads in 1978 and 1982.
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      Angle spent 18 seasons with Real Madrid, winning 16 major trophiesCredit: Getty
      He kept a connection with Real Madrid after leaving the club in 1986.
      Angel later held roles as both a first team delegate and a goalkeeping coach.
      Fans spot Jude Bellingham’s classy gesture after facing Greenwood’s Getafe as they say ‘England captain material’
      The former keeper also served as a director for the club’s old training ground. More