Dani Alves is awaiting trial in early February 2024 over sexual assault allegations dating back to January of this year, which resulted in his arrest by local police in Barcelona. The 40-year-old former Barca player and 126-cap Brazil international is currently in prison in Catalonia and has not played since Pumas UNAM in Mexico terminated his contract after his arrest. Alves denies the allegations but has also changed his stance on the events and even admitted to initially “lying” to investigators. If found guilty, Alves could go to prison for at least nine years.
What is Alves accused of?
After being eliminated from the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar with Brazil, Alves returned to Spain with his wife Joana Sanz and spent time in the Canary Islands before leaving for Barcelona on December 30. New Year was to be spent there before returning to Mexico to rejoin Pumas and Spanish media reports and Alves’ interview with La Vanguardia say he arrived in Barcelona, met a friend for dinner, ate and then went to Sutton nightclub. This is where the alleged sexual assault of a 23-year-old woman took place in the early hours after Alves bought the alleged victim and her cousin champagne — security footage published by…
