In a significant development during the trial on charges of sexual assault, Brazilian former footballer Dani Alves asserted that the encounter with a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in 2022 was entirely consensual. Calmly and emphatically, the 40-year-old, known for his career as a defender with Barcelona, refuted allegations of violence, narrating that the complainant initiated physical contact while dancing. Alves further explained that she willingly accompanied him to a restroom, where they engaged in consensual intimate acts.
Throughout his testimony, Alves consistently emphasized that he is not a violent individual and never forced anyone into any actions. Expressing this sentiment, he stated, “I am not that type of man.”
This pivotal testimony from Alves marked the conclusion of three days of witness accounts in the trial. The proceedings will now enter the deliberation phase, with a panel of three judges considering the evidence presented.
The public prosecutor has leveled serious accusations against Alves, alleging that he forced the woman to engage in sexual activities without her consent and without using protection. The complainant, a 23-year-old woman whose identity remains protected, testified behind a screen during the trial.
The legal implications for Alves are substantial, with the prosecutor seeking a nine-year prison term and a financial penalty of 150,000 euros ($163,215) to be paid to the alleged victim. In contrast, the complainant is advocating for a 12-year prison sentence.
Alves, who was arrested in January of the previous year, has been in custody since then. Initially, he denied any sexual encounter with the woman, whom he claimed not to know. However, in a subsequent admission, Alves acknowledged consensual intimacy in the nightclub restroom, citing his initial denial as an attempt to shield his marriage.
The trial has garnered notable attention, not just due to Alves’ high-profile status but also because of the broader context of heightened awareness around issues of sexual assault in Spain. Earlier in the trial, two friends of the alleged victim testified, claiming that Alves had made inappropriate advances toward them on the same night before the purported sexual assault occurred.