Former Barcelona Star Dani Alves faces the grim prospect of being held behind bars for 12 years amid allegations of sexual assault.
The embattled right-back has been held behind bars by the Spanish Police since January 2023 following his arrest and detention for alleged sexual assault.
Dani Alves was arrested and whisked away by Spanish authorities after a 23-year-old woman accuse him of raping her at a nightclub in Barcelona.
Since his arrest, his lawyers have filed requests to the court asking for their client to be released on bail but has been turned down.
Spanish media outlet, Marca reports Dani Alves is not granted bail by Spanish courts because it is believed he will likely flee from Spain to Brazil, his home country, where citizens are not extradited for trials in foreign countries.
Amid the arrays of rejected bail applications by Dani Alves’ lawyers, El Periodico has confirmed Alves’ trial date has been fixed. The report adds Dani Alves will face trial in October or November this year.
The exact date of the trial is yet to be confirmed but it will definitely take place in the autumn as per Periodico.
El Periodico adds Dani Alves will face years in jail if convicted. His jail term is likely to range from 6 to 12 years depending on how his lawyers are able to navigate a soft landing for the player if convicted.
The duration of the prison sentence is reportedly sanctioned by the Spanish Law on the Guarantee of Sexual Freedom which was recently enacted and effect in October last year.
Following his arrest in January, Dani Alves said he was innocent of the accusations as he has not met or known the 23-year-old woman who made the rape allegations.
Alves later twisted his narrative of the incident saying he knew the lady and had sex with her but under consent.
According to reports, Dani Alves dipped his hand into the woman’s pants at the club before the woman later revealed the footballer had raped and slapped her inside the toilet.
Spanish media reports Dani Alves’ chances of emerging unscathed from the allegations is slim.
The Police reportedly found fingerprints of the victim in the said toilet where the incident occured, including contrasting footprints attesting to narrative of the victim.
El Periodico reports five judges have examined the evidences laid before them by the prosecutors and the counter claims by Dani Alves’ lawyers. And from all indications, Alves is more likely to serve a jail term than be freed.
Final judgement will be decided in autumn between October or November this year with projections the Barcelona legend is going to be convicted.
