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Rabat – Two weeks following the conclusion of his trial for the rape of a young woman in a nightclub in December 2022, Dani Alves, held in custody for over a year, has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison for sexual assault.
Prosecutors had sought nine years of imprisonment for the former Barcelona and PSG player, who denied the allegations, claiming the acts were consensual.
The verdict was delivered early this morning. Alves was accused by a young woman of raping her in the VIP restroom of the Sutton nightclub in Barcelona on the night of December 30-31, 2022, and has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison, along with five years of supervised release.
Prosecutors had sought nine years of imprisonment for the former FC Barcelona, PSG, and Juventus Turin player.
“The victim did not consent, and there is evidence beyond the plaintiff’s testimony that supports the proven rape,” stated the Barcelona court in a press release.
According to the indictment reported by AFP, the 40-year-old was at the nightclub on the night of the incident with a friend.
After offering champagne to the plaintiff, her cousin, and a friend, he allegedly invited her to accompany him to an exclusive area of the nightclub containing restrooms, which she was unaware of. It was then that the Brazilian allegedly displayed “violent behavior” towards the young woman.
“The victim repeatedly asked him (…) to let her go, saying she wanted to leave, but the accused prevented her from doing so,” the indictment read, describing a “situation of anguish and terror” for the young woman.
The trial has sparked significant public attention and debate surrounding issues of consent and accountability. Alves, once celebrated for his achievements on the football pitch, now faces the consequences of his actions in a case that has drawn widespread scrutiny.
Alves’ legal team has not yet commented on whether they plan to appeal the verdict. Meanwhile, advocates for survivors of sexual assault have hailed the court’s decision as a step towards justice and accountability.
