Dani Alves Sentenced to 4.5 Years in Sexual Assault Case

Dani Alves, a celebrated former footballer for Brazil and Barcelona, has been convicted of sexual assault and sentenced to four and a half years in jail by Catalonia’s supreme court, which also mandated a compensation of 50,000 Euros ($162,990) to the victim. The incident, for which Alves was found guilty, occurred in December 2022 at Sutton Nightclub’s VIP section on New Year’s Eve.

The court concluded that the assault was non-consensual, basing its decision on the plaintiff’s account and additional evidence, thereby deeming the act of rape as substantiated.

Additionally, Alves faces a nine-and-a-half-year ban from approaching the victim and, upon his release, will be under a five-year probation.

Alves was detained in January 2022 after investigations led to charges against him for “sexual assault with penetration.” Prosecutors initially proposed a nine-year jail sentence and a subsequent 10-year probation, along with a demand for Alves to compensate the victim with $163,000 (€150,000).

Alves, in a statement to La Vanguardia, confessed to deceiving his wife, Joanna Sanz, about the incident, fearing it might lead to their separation.

Sanz testified that Alves reeked of alcohol when he returned home that night, was disoriented, and eventually passed out on their bed. A friend accompanying Alves at the nightclub confirmed they had consumed wine and whiskey prior to their arrival at the venue.

Defending himself, Alves argued that the victim was not forced to stay with him, and claimed she never expressed a desire to leave. He also refuted allegations of physical aggression, insisting he is not a violent person.