Former Barcelona and Brazil defender Dani Alves has had his rape conviction overturned by a Spanish appellate court.
The appeals division of Catalonia's High Court of Justice unanimously ruled in favor of the 41-year-old, citing "inconsistencies and contradictions" in the case against him.
Alves was initially sentenced to four and a half years in prison in February 2024 after being convicted of sexually assaulting a woman at a Barcelona nightclub in 2022. However, he was granted bail in March 2024 while his appeal was under review.
The appellate court stated that the original ruling contained "gaps, inaccuracies, inconsistencies, and contradictions" in the factual analysis, legal assessment, and conclusions. It also noted that the complainant's testimony, which required greater scrutiny, had not been sufficiently cross-referenced with fingerprint and biological evidence supporting the defense's argument.
Additionally, the court found the complainant's claim—that she accompanied Alves into the bathroom out of fear his friends might follow them—unconvincing. Instead, it concluded that she "voluntarily entered the bathroom area with the intention of being in a more private setting with the defendant."
Following the ruling, all restrictions on Alves, including a travel ban and restraining order, were lifted. However, the decision remains subject to appeal before the Supreme Court.
"Dani Alves is very happy. His innocence has been proven, and justice has prevailed," his lawyer, Ines Guardiola, told RAC1 radio.
Alves enjoyed a decorated career with Sevilla, Barcelona, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as international success with Brazil, winning two Copa América titles and an Olympic gold medal at the age of 38. At the time of his arrest, he was playing for Pumas UNAM, which promptly terminated his contract.
.jpg)
