Dani Alves: From Conviction Overturned to a Legendary Career

Former Barcelona player Dani Alves won an appeal against a sexual assault conviction. The Spanish court overturned the ruling due to insufficient evidence, questioning the plaintiff’s testimony. Alves, a prominent footballer with a celebrated career, was initially sentenced to four years, six months in prison.

Dani Alves, a former Barcelona and Brazil defender, emerged successful in his appeal against a sexual assault conviction on Friday, as a Spanish court overturned the prior ruling citing insufficient evidence. Alves was originally found guilty in February 2024 for allegedly raping a woman in a December 2022 nightclub incident.

This case was notably the first high-profile trial since Spain's 2022 legal overhaul, emphasizing consent in sex crime definitions, a change driven by public outrage after the 2016 Pamplona gang-rape case. Under the 'only yes means yes' law, consent must be clearly affirmed, contrary to silence or passivity.

The four-judge panel in Barcelona highlighted discrepancies between the plaintiff's claims and video evidence, leading to the overturned conviction. Alves, who paid a €1 million bail, faces a possible appeal to the Spanish Supreme Court. His illustrious football career includes stints with Barcelona, Juventus, and PSG, as well as triumphs with Brazil in the Copa America and the Olympics.

(With inputs from agencies.)