Dani Alves: Justice Restored as Spanish Court Overturns Sexual Assault Conviction

Former Barcelona player Dani Alves' sexual assault conviction has been overturned by a Spanish court due to insufficient evidence. His case, the first high-profile trial since Spain's updated consent law, brings justice for the former football star. Alves has been out on bail, appealing the four-year sentence.

In a dramatic turn of events, former Barcelona and Brazil defender Dani Alves won his appeal against a sexual assault conviction. A Spanish court overturned the previous ruling, citing 'insufficient evidence' to uphold the charges initially laid against the 41-year-old football star.

The original conviction stemmed from allegations of rape in December 2022, with Alves being sentenced to four years and six months in prison. However, the four judges from Barcelona's appeals court unanimously found discrepancies in the evidence, particularly the testimonies versus the video footage presented.

This case comes against the backdrop of Spain's revised consent laws, which emphasize explicit agreement as essential to defining a sex crime. Alves, released on bail after paying 1 million euros, can now potentially resume his life pending any further appeals.

(With inputs from agencies.)