In February 2024, Dani Alves was found guilty of raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub and sentenced to four and a half years in prison. The former Barcelona and Brazil footballer, 40 – one of the most decorated footballers in history – had denied sexually assaulting the woman in the early hours of 31 December 2022. But in March 2025, over a year after, the Spanish appeals court overturned former Brazil international footballer rape conviction, citing insufficient evidence. Dani Alves was in prison for over a year, since the judge wouldn’t release him due to fears of him fleeing Spain, but after one million euros bail was put (apparently Memphis Depay paid for it), he was released until his appeal was settled, and now, he is a free man.Dani Alves has won his appeal against a sexual assault conviction after a Spanish court overturned the ruling. pic.twitter.com/nbp54ncV76— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 28, 2025 The Barcelona-based appeals court said its four judges had “unanimously” accepted the player’s appeal and “annulled” his conviction, saying there was “insufficient evidence” to prove he was guilty. His trial contained “a series of gaps, inaccuracies, inconsistencies, and contradictions regarding the facts, the legal assessment, and its consequences,” the court said in its ruling. Alves’ accuser was an “unreliable complainant” since her testimony “differed notably” from evidence of video footage taken before she and Alves entered the bathroom where she alleges the player forced her to have sex without her consent.After Neymar, another Alves’ teammate helps him with cashThe ruling can still be appealed to the Supreme Court.”We are very happy. He is innocent, that is demonstrated. Justice has spoken” the player’s lawyer Ines Guardiola told RAC1 radio. But the plaintiff’s lawyer, Ester Garcia, said her client felt “like she had returned to the bathroom where the events took place.””Legally, we will have to appeal this decision, but we will also take into account the emotional state of our client. It has been two years of hell for her”. Equality Minister Ana Redondo said the judiciary needed to “reflect” on how it handled rape cases in the wake of the ruling. Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, a self-described feminist, has made the fight against sexual violence a priority.LA LIGA – MATCHDAYS 27 and 29Thursday Barcelona – Osasuna 3-0 (2-0)/Torres 10, Olmo (p) 20, Lewandowski 77/Saturday 16.00: (1.35) Sociedad (4.60) Valladolid (10.5)18.15: (6.10) Espanyol (3.80) Atl.Madrid (1.60)20.30: (2.30) Alaves (3.05) Rayo Vallecano (3.75)23.00: (1.15) Real Madrid (7.75) Leganes (19.0)***odds are subject to change***
