Former Barcelona Footballer Dani Alves Denies Rape Allegations in Court Trial

Former Barcelona and Brazil footballer Dani Alves vehemently denied the rape allegations against him as he took the stand on the final day of his trial in a Barcelona court. The 40-year-old, who has been in prison without bail since January of last year, insisted that the woman involved could have left if she wanted to, emphasizing that he is not a violent man.

The accusations against Mr. Alves stem from an alleged incident in December 2022, in which he is accused of raping a woman in the VIP section of the Sutton nightclub. Prosecutors are seeking a nine-year jail sentence and financial compensation for the victim.

In his 20-minute testimony, Mr. Alves maintained his innocence, stating that the woman had the freedom to leave at any time. He denied any physical violence towards her and refuted the claim that he forced her into having sex.

A psychologist who treated the woman after the alleged rape testified earlier in the trial, revealing that she displayed signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. While experts called by the defense argued that her distress could have been exacerbated by the media attention surrounding the case.

During the trial, Mr. Alves’ wife, Joana Sanz, testified that her husband had appeared heavily intoxicated when he returned home that night, recounting how he stumbled into furniture before collapsing on the bed.

Alves, one of the most decorated footballers in history, has played for powerhouse clubs including Barcelona and Paris St Germain in his illustrious career. With over 400 appearances for Barcelona and multiple league titles and Champions League victories under his belt, he is recognized as one of the greatest defenders of his generation.

The trial has drawn significant attention, and Alves’ fate is expected to be determined by the court in the coming weeks. Regardless of the verdict, this case has cast a shadow over the Brazilian footballer’s impressive achievements on the field.