Ex-Barcelona and PSG Star Dani Alves on Trial for Rape

On Monday, Brazilian footballer Dani Alves, known for his time at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, begins his trial in Barcelona on charges of raping a woman at a local nightclub. Prosecutors have proposed a nine-year prison sentence and a subsequent 10-year conditional release for Alves, along with a demand for him to pay 150,000 euros ($162,000) in compensation to the alleged victim.

The trial, scheduled to start at 9 am GMT, is expected to conclude by Wednesday.

Alves, aged 40, has been in custody since January 2023 following his arrest. The accusation stems from an incident on December 31, 2022, where a woman claimed Alves raped her in a VIP area bathroom of the upscale Sutton nightclub in Barcelona. Initially, Alves denied knowing the woman in a television interview, but later admitted to having consensual sex with her.

The prosecution alleges that while on holiday in Barcelona after playing in the World Cup in Qatar, Alves offered champagne to the woman and her friend. He is accused of leading the woman to a secluded part of the nightclub, which she did not realize was a lavatory. The indictment states that Alves then displayed a violent behavior and forced the woman to engage in sexual intercourse against her will, causing her significant distress and terror.

Following the incident, the woman sought medical treatment and is currently undergoing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Alves’ request to have the trial conducted in private was denied, although media and public access will be restricted when the accuser testifies. The accuser’s identity has not been disclosed.

In an interview with La Vanguardia in June, Alves admitted to lying about his acquaintance with the woman, fearing his wife’s reaction to him being with another woman.

Spanish courts have consistently denied bail for Alves, citing the risk of him fleeing to Brazil, which typically does not extradite its citizens.

In Spain, a plea deal can be negotiated up until the trial begins, which leaves open the possibility for Alves to admit guilt for a reduced sentence.

The accuser’s attorney, as of November, refuted claims of a settlement but acknowledged ongoing discussions.

Dani Alves boasts a remarkable career with 42 trophies, including three Champions League titles with Barcelona and two Copa Americas with Brazil. His most successful tenure was at Barcelona between 2008 and 2016, winning 23 trophies. Besides playing for Juventus and Sevilla, Alves was with Mexican club Pumas UNAM at the time of his arrest, who subsequently terminated his contract.