Trial Date Set For Barcelona Defender Dani Alves in Sexual Assault Case

Dani Alves, a former defender for Barcelona and Brazil, is scheduled to go on trial for a charge of sexual assault on February 5, 2024 with prosecutors seek nine year prison sentence fir him. Alves was accused of sexual assault after an incident in a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022, which led to his arrest and imprisonment in January.

The former Brazil international’s contract with Mexican team Pumas was later terminated, and he has been detained without bail ever since. A trial date has been set after a court in Barcelona confirmed in November that the case would proceed to trial. The court has confirmed that Alves will go on trial and that the trial will begin on February 5 of the following year.

Alves initially denied knowing his accuser in an interview with Spanish TV channel Antena 3. He subsequently told La Vanguardia in June that he had done nothing wrong.

“I have a really clear conscience regarding what happened that night in the bathroom of the VIP area of the Sutton nightclub,” he said. “What happened and what didn’t happen. And what didn’t happen is that I forced this woman to do anything that we did.”

If proven guilty of sexual assault, prosecutors want Alves to serve nine years in prison. According to reports, the 40-year-old may also be subject to a restraining order following his release and may be required to reimburse his accuser €150,000 (£130,000/$164,000) in damages.

If Alves is found guilty of sexual assault during the trial, he could potentially spend more time behind bars. With 42 titles won during a career that saw him play for elite teams like Barcelona, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain in addition to the Brazil national team, the Brazilian is among the most decorated players in the game.