Dani Alves, former Brazil and Barcelona football star, has been acquitted of a sexual assault conviction after a Spanish court ruled in his favor on Friday, overturning the judgment that had sent him to prison for over four years.
The 40-year-old ex-defender, was declared guilty in February 2024 of sexually assaulting a woman in a Barcelona nightclub on New Year’s Eve in 2022. He was sentenced to four years and six months in prison, despite maintaining his innocence throughout the proceedings.
The ruling came as a devastating blow to the footballer, whose famous career was overshadowed by the allegations.
After spending months behind bars, he was granted provisional release in March 2024 while his appeal was under review.
Now, the Barcelona-based appeals court has ruled unanimously to overturn his conviction, stating that there was insufficient evidence to dismiss his presumption of innocence. The judges cited discrepancies between the accuser’s testimony and video footage taken before she and Alves entered the bathroom, where she claimed he assaulted her.
For Alves, the ruling is more than just a legal victory—it is a moment of vindication after months of maintaining his innocence. The case had been highly publicised, as it was the first major trial under Spain’s controversial “only yes means yes” law, which redefined sexual consent by requiring explicit affirmation.
The law, enacted after the 2016 gang-rape case in Pamplona, has been both praised for strengthening protections for victims and criticised for its rigid application in legal proceedings.
Alves, who had his contract with Mexican club Pumas terminated immediately after his arrest, has yet to publicly comment on the ruling. However, those close to him say he is relieved and eager to move forward, though the stain of the case may take time to fade.
Once one of the most decorated footballers in history, with major titles at Barcelona, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as Copa América and Olympic gold medals with Brazil, Dani Alves now acquitted faces the challenge of rebuilding his life after a high-profile legal battle that tested his resilience on and off the pitch.
