Former Barcelona Star Dani Alves Granted Conditional Release After Rape Conviction

A Spanish court has granted conditional release to former Barcelona and Brazil footballer Dani Alves after serving approximately a quarter of his sentence for rape. Alves who received a four and a half year prison sentence last month will be released upon payment of a €1 million bail. He had been in pre-trial detention since January 2023.

The 40 years old was convicted of raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022. Conditions of his release include surrendering his Brazilian and Spanish passports, weekly court appearances and a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim. The decision which was not unanimous can still be appealed.

The victim’s lawyer criticized the ruling as favoring the wealthy and announced plans to appeal. Alves’ lawyers have not commented. During the trial, prosecutors alleged that Alves forced the woman to have sex despite her protests while Alves claimed the encounter was consensual. 

The court found evidence corroborating the victim’s account and described the incident as a violent assault. Alves a decorated footballer  has played for top clubs such as Barcelona, Sevilla, Juventus, PSG and has represented Brazil in numerous international matches.