Spanish Court overturns footballer  Dani Alves’ rape conviction

A Spanish court overturned former Barcelona player Dani Alves’ sexual assault conviction on Friday, reversing a 2024 ruling that had found him guilty of raping a woman in a nightclub.

Alves, 41, was convicted in February 2024 and sentenced to four years and six months in prison for an assault that occurred in December 2022.

The Brazilian soccer star had denied the allegations during his three-day trial.

However, the appeals court ruled unanimously that there was “insufficient evidence” to override Alves’ presumption of innocence.

The case was one of the first high-profile trials under Spain’s 2022 sexual consent law, known as the “only yes means yes” law, which defines consent as an explicit expression of will and states that silence or passivity do not constitute permission.

In their decision, the four-judge panel noted that the accuser’s testimony “differed notably” from video evidence recorded before she and Alves entered the nightclub bathroom, where she alleged the assault took place.

Alves had been detained since January 20, 2023, until his release on bail in March 2024 after posting €1 million (then $1.2 million).

Prosecutors had argued against bail, citing flight risk concerns. During the appeal, they sought a nine-year sentence, while the victim’s lawyer pushed for 12 years.

The ruling can still be appealed to Spain’s Supreme Court in Madrid.

Alves is one of the most decorated players of his generation, winning multiple titles with Barcelona, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain.

He also helped Brazil secure two Copa América trophies and an Olympic gold medal.

At the time of his arrest, he was playing for Mexico’s Pumas, who terminated his contract immediately.

Despite his legal troubles, Alves maintains a residence near Barcelona, where he had two successful stints, including a brief return in 2022.