Former Barcelona and Brazil soccer player Dani Alves has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in a Barcelona nightclub on December 31, 2022, according to USA Today.

Alves, who has been in custody since January 2023, initially denied knowing the victim but later changed his story, asserting that the sexual encounter was consensual after a biological test.

Upon release, Alves will face a five-year probation and a nine-and-a-half-year restraining order, in addition to being ordered to pay $162,700 to the victim, as outlined in court documents.

The severity of the sentence reflects the court's consideration of the victim's account and the evidence presented during the trial.

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Victim's Testimony and Dani Alves Rape Case Defense

The victim recounted her experience, stating that she initially danced with Alves and willingly entered the nightclub bathroom, NBC reports.

However, when she decided to leave, Alves allegedly prevented her, slapped her, insulted her, and forced her into non-consensual sexual relations.

Alves modified his defense during the investigative phase, first denying any sexual contact and later admitting to consensual relations, citing an attempt to preserve his marriage as the reason for his initial denial.

During the trial, Alves' defense centered on portraying him as intoxicated during the encounter.

Inés Guardiola, Alves' lawyer, expressed continued belief in his innocence and confirmed plans to appeal the verdict.

However, the victim's legal team welcomed the decision, affirming that it recognizes the truth of the victim's account.

Landmark Case and Legislative Background

The Dani Alves rape case marks the first high-profile sex crime in Spain since the overhaul of legislation in 2022, introducing the "only yes means yes" law, per ESPN.

This legal reform made consent a pivotal element in defining a sex crime, responding to public outrage after a 2016 gang-rape case during the San Fermin bull-running festival in Pamplona.

The law explicitly clarified that silence or passivity does not constitute consent.

The sentencing of Dani Alves under this legislation reflects a commitment to recognizing non-consensual acts as sexual assault, aligning with the feminist fight for sexual freedom and consent.

Irene Montero, the former equality minister and advocate for the "only yes means yes" law, applauded the ruling for emphasizing the importance of consent in sexual encounters.

Throughout his illustrious career spanning over 20 years, Dani Alves achieved major titles with renowned clubs such as Barcelona, Juventus, and PSG.

He played a crucial role in Brazil's success, securing Copa América victories and an Olympic gold medal at the age of 38.

Although he fell short of winning a World Cup, Dani Alves participated in his third World Cup in 2022.

Alves, known for his contributions to Barça from 2008 to '16, briefly rejoined the club for a second spell in 2022 before moving to Mexico with Pumas.

The sentencing marks a significant development in the life of a once-celebrated athlete, highlighting the importance of accountability and legal consequences for actions that violate consent.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

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