FALL FROM GRACE
What are the accusations against Dani Alves?
Dani was sacked from his football club following his arrest
DANI Alves saw his football career crumble after he was found guilty of rape.
But in a turn of events, the shamed star won his fight to appeal his four-and-a-half year jail sentence from the comfort of his own home rather than a jail cell.
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What was Dani Alves accused of?
Dani Alves was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a nightclub on New Year's Eve in December 2022.
The victim alleged the former Barcelona defender raped her in a bathroom.
Alves was first arrested in January 2023, and was immediately detained while he awaited trial.
Speaking in a Spanish TV interview shortly after his arrest, Alves said: “I don’t know who this lady is.
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"I don’t know her name, I don’t know her, I’ve never seen her in my life."
However, in a June 2023 interview with Mayka Navarro, he then asked his wife for forgiveness.
Alves said: "The only person I have to ask for forgiveness is my wife, Joana Sanz.
"I have already done that here in prison, but I have to do it publicly, because the story is public, the offence I caused her is public and she deserves that public apology."
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Alves continued: "I entered the nightclub bathroom after her.
"I didn’t even lock the door. The door was open all the time.
Dani Alves guilty of raping woman in nightclub bathroom with ex-Barcelona star jailed for more than 4 years
"She could have left at any time because I spent virtually all my time in there sat on the toilet seat."
When was Alves found guilty?
In February 2024, Alves was found guilty of raping the woman on New Year’s Eve 2023.
State prosecutors were told by the victim that she danced with Alves and willingly entered the nightclub bathroom but when she later wanted to leave, he would not let her.
She said he then slapped her and forced her to have sexual relations against her will.
He was ordered to pay £130,000 (€150,000) to the victim by the court.
When was Dani Alves released?
Following his conviction, Alves was sentenced to four-and-half-years in prison.
State prosecutors had sought a nine-year prison sentence for the footballer while lawyers representing his accuser wanted 12 years.
His defence asked for his acquittal or if found guilty a one-year sentence plus £43,000 (€50k ) compensation for the victim.
However, in a turn of events in March 2024 it was revealed he was set to be released from jail after just four weeks after being granted an appeal.
A Barcelona court ruled that Alves could be released after posting bail of €1million (£850,000).
The decision can still be appealed.
Is Dani Alves retired?
Following his conviction, Barcelona stripped Alves of his legend status.
At the time of his arrest, Alves was under contract with Mexican football club UNAM Pumas - who have since sacked him.
However, he has not talked about his future as a football player.
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During his time on the pitch, he won six La Liga titles, two Ligue 1 titles and the Serie A.
Alves also won the UEFA Champions League on three occasions while playing for Barcelona in 2009, 2011 and 2015.
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