Dani Alves Acquitted: Catalan Court Overturns Rape Conviction

The Catalonia High Court has overturned Brazilian soccer player Dani Alves' rape conviction, citing inconsistencies and contradictions in the case. Alves, convicted of raping a woman in 2022, had been sentenced to 4.5 years in prison. Freed on bail, Alves now faces no restrictions, but the case may still be appealed to the Supreme Court.

The Catalonia High Court has overturned the rape conviction of Brazilian soccer player Dani Alves, citing inconsistencies and contradictions in the case. Alves, aged 41, had been convicted last year of raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub restroom during 2022, receiving a prison sentence of 4.5 years.

Alves' lawyer, Ines Guardiola, expressed satisfaction, stating, 'Dani Alves is very happy. He is innocent, that is demonstrated. Justice has spoken.' The court highlighted inadequacies in evidence and gaps in the accuser’s testimony, which it found unreliable and not supported by video footage.

With the court lifting all restrictions on Alves, including a travel ban and bail conditions, he now faces no immediate barriers but can still be subject to an appeal to the Supreme Court. The accuser's lawyer and the regional prosecutor have not commented on the decision. Alves had been released on a €1 million bail while awaiting the appeal.