A Spanish court on Friday overturned ex-Barcelona and Brazil footballer Dani Alves’s sexual assault sentence, citing “insufficient evidence” to justify his burden of guilt. In February 2024, a 41-year-old man was sentenced to four and a half years in jail for purportedly sexually assaulting a woman at a club in December 2022. A Barcelona four-judge panel, nevertheless, unanimously overturned the decision, therefore major legal precedent under Spain’s changed sexual consent laws.
Court Causal Lack of Evidence
Under Spain’s 2022 “only yes means yes” statute, Alves was found guilty; in sexual crime cases, explicit consent is required. National protests over a gang-rape incident at the San Fermin bull-running festival in 2016 forced the law’s passage. It rejects silence or passiveness as permission and defines consent as an active, unambiguous will.
Notwithstanding the legal structure, the judges found that discrepancies between the evidence of the accuser and nightclub security video produced reasonable doubt. This ultimately got Alves’ sentence turned around.
legal litigation and potential appeals
Before posting a 1 million euro bond in March 2024, Dani Alves had been jailed since January 2023. Among worries he might run, he also handed up his passports.
At first, prosecutor wanted Alves’ term to be nine years, but the legal team of the victim striv for twelve years. The decision might still be appealed to Madrid, Spain’s Supreme Court, where the case might face more judicial review.
The soccer heritage of Dani Alves.
Among the most honored soccer players, Alves won many league championships and UEFA Champions League medals with Barcelona. With Brazil, he also won an Olympic gold medal as well as Copa América championships. Although his legal problems have overshadowed his remarkable career, the overturned conviction raises questions about his next moves inside the sport.
Especially under its new consent laws, the case still marks a defining point for Spain’s changing legal scene. The impact of this ruling on both legal precedents and the next of Alves remains to be seen as appeals and reactions play out.
