A Spanish court in Barcelona on Thursday (Feb. 22) found Brazilian football star Dani Alves guilty of sexually assaulting a young woman in one of the Mediterranean city's nightclubs on Dec. 31. 2022.
According to Spanish media outlet Marca, Alves was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for raping a woman in a restroom of an upscale Barcelona nightclub.
State prosecutors sought a nine-year jail sentence for the football star, while lawyers representing the woman wanted 12 years.
On the other hand, defense lawyers asked for his acquittal - or, if found guilty, at least only a one-year sentence and EUR 50,000 ($54,000) compensation for the victim.
Alves has been in custody since being detained in January 2023. His requests for bail were denied because the court considered him a flight risk.
Brazil does not extradite its own citizens when they are sentenced overseas.
Under Spain's 2022 sexual consent law, sexual assault ranges from online abuse to groping to rape. A case of rape could carry a maximum sentence of 15 years.
The Associated Press reported that, in addition to jail time, Alves had been ordered to pay EUR 150,000 ($162,000) to pay the victim.
Prior to the crime, Alves won major titles with elite clubs, including Barcelona, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain. He also helped Brazil win two Copa Americas and an Olympic Gold medal at age 38. He played at his third World Cup, the only major title he's not won, in 2022.
His contract with Mexican club Pumas was terminated immediately after his arrest.
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