Dani Alves Wins Appeal in High-Profile Sexual Assault Case

Dani Alves has successfully overturned a sexual assault conviction after a Spanish court found insufficient evidence to uphold the original ruling. Initially sentenced to over four years for the alleged incident, the football star maintained his innocence throughout the trial and was released pending appeal.

A Spanish court has overturned a sexual assault conviction against Dani Alves, a former Brazilian and Barcelona football star, citing insufficient evidence. In February 2024, Alves was initially found guilty of raping a woman in a nightclub in December 2022 and sentenced to four years and six months in prison.

Alves, who consistently denied the allegations during a three-day trial, was released from prison in March 2024 while awaiting the outcome of his appeal. The higher court's decision on Friday underscores the challenges of legal procedures involving high-profile individuals.

With the court's ruling, Alves is now free of the accusations that overshadowed his illustrious football career. The verdict highlighted the importance of cementing the presumption of innocence in legal systems worldwide, particularly in cases with limited evidence.

(With inputs from agencies.)