Ex-Barcelona Footballer Dani Alves Has Rape Conviction Annulled

A Spanish appeals courtroom overturned Friday former Brazil worldwide footballer Dani Alves’ rape conviction, arguing his trial was marked by “shortcomings” and “inaccuracies”. Alves was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail in February final 12 months for raping a younger girl within the VIP toilet of a Barcelona nightclub on December 31, 2022. The 41-year-old, who received the Champions League three-times with Barcelona, was launched from jail final March pending his attraction after he posted the a million euros ($1.1million) bail set by the courtroom. The appeals courtroom mentioned its 4 judges had “unanimously” accepted the participant’s attraction and “annulled” his conviction,. 

The courtroom additionally rejected the attraction filed by public prosecutors, who had been looking for a extra extreme jail time period of 9 years.

Alves’ trial contained “a collection of gaps, inaccuracies, inconsistencies, and contradictions relating to the info, the authorized evaluation, and its penalties,” the courtroom mentioned in its ruling.

During the trial, the sufferer, who testified behind a display to guard her identification, mentioned Alves had violently pressured her to have intercourse regardless of begging him to let her go, inflicting her “anguish and terror”, in accordance with prosecutors current for her declaration. 

Alves initially claimed he by no means met the girl however later mentioned they’d consensual intercourse. 

His attorneys argued throughout the trial the sufferer had been “glued” to the participant whereas dancing on the nightclub.

Alves was a pivotal a part of an all-conquering Barcelona staff — topped La Liga champions six occasions — and received 126 caps for Brazil, profitable the Copa America twice.

He additionally received European league titles with Italian giants Juventus and French outfit Paris Saint Germain.

At the time of his arrest, he was contracted to Mexican membership Pumas UNAM — he was sacked quickly afterwards.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)