Former Barcelona defender Dani Alves, who was jailed in January, 2023 has been formally charged for sexual assault by a Spanish judge.
The 40-year-old was apprehended over an allegation that he assaulted a woman sexually in a Barcelona night club in December 2022.
The Spanish judge stated that she had found evidence of the defender being guilty of the offense.
Dani Alves had been in prison for sexual assault since January 2023
Dani Alves, who has been in confinement in Spain without bail, claims he had consensual sex with his accuser.
The former Paris Saint Germain defender has also had requests for him to be released rejected.
Those requests were reportedly denied as they considered Dani Alves to be a flight risk.
Alves’ legal representative has said that he would not drag the process for too long by appealing against the formal charges.
Cristobal Martell, the lawyer of Dani Alves reveals that the 40-year-old isn’t happy with a particular narrative spreading around.
Christobal said: “Alves is upset with the narrative of the facts. He disagrees with it.”
A rape allegation in Spain is scrutinized under the broad accusation of sexual assault and those who are found guilty face a prison sentence of 4 – 15 years.
Prosecutors must now outline formal charges, and a trial date will be set. Reports are suggesting that trial date might be scheduled for later in 2023 or early in 2024.
Dani Alves has consistently claimed his innocence over the allegations, but he acknowledged to cheating on his wife, Joana Sanz.
Alves stated previously: “It will be proven that I am not guilty and it was a consensual relationship.
“It would never cross my mind to impose a sexual act on anyone.”
Alves’ wife has apparently divorced him
Joana Sanz has also seemingly divorced Dani Alves, after sharing a post on March 15, 2023 where she wrote that she is moving on to the next stage of her life.
She wrote: “It will take years to erase from my memory his way of looking at me’ and ‘here is a strong woman moving on to the next stage of her life.”
He is the joint most successful player in football, having won a staggering 43 trophies in their career.
Alves won several major trophies during his career, including; 3 UEFA Champions League titles, 1 Olympic Gold medal and 2 Copa America.
The 40-year-old is considered by many to be one of the full-backs in football and he is the second player with the most appearances for Brazil.
Dani Alves is also the oldest Brazilian to play in the FIFA World Cup and he set that record when he played in his country’s 1-0 loss to Cameroon in the group stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
He made 869 appearances in his career, scoring 61 goals and providing 178 assists across all competitions.
Alves last played for Mexican side Pumas UNAM, but they terminated his contract in January 2023 following the allegations leveled against him.
