Spanish Court Overturns Dani Alves’ Sexual Assault Conviction
Former Barcelona and Brazil star Dani Alves has successfully appealed his sexual assault conviction, with a Spanish court overturning the verdict on Friday due to a lack of sufficient evidence.
The 40-year-old ex-defender was initially sentenced in February 2024 to four years and six months in prison after being found guilty of assaulting a woman at a Barcelona nightclub on New Year’s Eve in 2022. However, Alves consistently maintained his innocence throughout the trial and was released on bail in March 2024 while awaiting his appeal.
Court’s Reasoning for Overturning the Verdict
The Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Catalunya (TSJC) ruled in favor of Alves, stating that the evidence presented was not strong enough to override his presumption of innocence. “The victim’s testimony alone is not sufficient to uphold the conviction, and in this instance, the presumption of innocence prevails,” the court declared.
The ruling pointed out inconsistencies in the initial verdict, particularly highlighting surveillance footage that suggested a level of familiarity between Alves and the accuser prior to the alleged incident. Additionally, the TSJC criticized the Barcelona court that originally convicted Alves for not fully considering all available evidence and for placing excessive reliance on the complainant’s statement.
As a result, the conviction has been nullified, the prosecution’s appeal for a harsher sentence has been dismissed, and all legal restrictions against Alves have been lifted.
Alves’ Career and Legal Impact
Alves, a highly decorated footballer who won multiple La Liga and Champions League titles with Barcelona, also played in three World Cups for Brazil and claimed Copa América victories. His last club, Mexico’s Pumas, terminated his contract following his arrest.
This case was among the first major trials under Spain’s updated sexual assault laws, introduced after the controversial 2016 Pamplona gang-rape case. The ruling has ignited discussions about the interpretation of consent and the legal criteria required for sexual assault convictions.
