Former Barcelona player Dani Alves won his appeal against the conviction of sexual assault when the Spanish court canceled the decision on Friday, March 28. Alves was found guilty of a woman’s sexual assault in February 2024. The incident occurred at the night club in December 2022 and the former Brazilian defender was sentenced to four and a half years in prison.
Alves denied any unlawful conduct during the three -day court. Former defender Barcelona was released from prison in March 2024, while waiting for his appeal to hear a higher court. On Friday, the court announced that there was no sufficient evidence that would exclude Alves’s assumption of innocence.
After the judgment, Alves’s lawyer said that they were satisfied with the decision and justice was eventually delivered. Guardiola said it was a very emotional moment for them, and she expected the result, because Alves was innocent.
“We are happy, he is innocent, he acted justice,” said Irene Guardiola, lawyer Alves.
“It was very emotional, justice was done.”
“We expected it; it’s fair,” she added. “Alves is innocent; that has been proven and justice was finally done. I am excited. I believed it and we are very happy.”
Alves had a stormy career at club and international level, winning more titles with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus. The defender also helped Brazil win two titles Copa America and the Olympic gold medal. Alves played his third World Championship during the 2022 issue.
Alves played for the Mexican club Pumas when he was arrested and the club decided to immediately cancel the contract. The Alves case has been the first important case since Spain revised its legislation in 2022 to bring consent or its lack, one of the key factors in defining sexual crime.
The new decision can be dismissed, while Alves can now freely leave Spain after the ban on traveling the former defender has been canceled.
Published on:
March 28, 2025
