News/ Sport: Dani Alves cleared in sexual assault case after appeal
In a dramatic legal reversal, former Barcelona star Dani Alves has been acquitted of sexual assault charges by a Spanish appeals court. The Brazilian defender, initially sentenced to 4.5 years for a 2022 nightclub incident, saw his conviction overturned Wednesday after judges identified critical flaws in the prosecution’s case.
The court dismissed appeals from both public prosecutors seeking a 9-year sentence and private prosecutors demanding 12 years, citing “substantial gaps, inconsistencies, and contradictions” in evidence and legal interpretation.
This decision nullifies the January 2024 verdict that had rocked international football.
Alves, 40, maintained his innocence throughout proceedings regarding the alleged assault of a 23-year-old woman.
The three-judge panel’s unanimous ruling highlighted evidentiary weaknesses rather than contesting the accuser’s testimony.
Legal analysts note this rare appellate outcome underscores Spain’s strict burden-of-proof requirements in sexual violence cases.
The ex-PSG player’s legal team celebrated the decision as “justice prevailing,” while women’s rights groups expressed concern about its potential chilling effect on assault victims coming forward.
Alves, who served 14 months in preventive detention, now walks free with his record expunged.
