A Spanish court made a decisive ruling on Monday regarding the trial of former Brazil and Barcelona footballer Dani Alves. Alves, who has been held on remand since January last year, is facing criminal prosecution for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in Barcelona in 2022. The court rejected Alves' argument that he has suffered trial by media and should be given additional time to prepare for his defense.
Public prosecutors have accused Alves of forcing the woman to engage in sexual activity without her consent and failing to use a condom. They are seeking a nine-year prison term for Alves, as well as a demand for him to pay damages worth €150,000 ($163,215) to his alleged victim.
Initially, Alves denied any sexual encounter with the woman, claiming that he did not know her. However, he later admitted to having consensual sex with her in the VIP bathroom of a nightclub. Alves explained that he had denied the encounter initially to protect his marriage.
The trial commenced on Monday at the Provincial Court of Barcelona, with Alves dressed in blue jeans and a white shirt. He sat on the front row as his trial got underway. His mother, accompanied by one of his brothers, showed support by blowing kisses and making a heart-shaped sign with her hands as Alves, handcuffed and escorted by police officers, entered the courtroom.
Despite Alves' lawyer, Ines Guardiola, requesting a suspension of the trial due to insufficient time to prepare for his initial police interview, the three-judge panel denied the request. The trial is expected to last for three days, with a total of 30 people scheduled to give their evidence. Notably, Alves is expected to be the last to take the stand.
The high-profile nature of this case has drawn significant attention, attributed to Alves' status as one of the greatest football players of all time. Moreover, sexual assault has been a prominent political issue in Spain, further intensified by an alleged non-consensual kiss shared by then Spanish Football Federation chief Luis Rubiales and Jenni Hermoso after the team's World Cup triumph in August.
This trial also occurs during a time when sexual assault and consent have been subject to legal reforms in Spain. Following a law passed in 2022, consent has become a pivotal factor in sexual assault cases. Additionally, minimum jail time for such assaults involving violence has been increased. These reforms were prompted by the 2016 gang-rape of a teenager during the San Fermin bull-running festival. Originally, the five men involved were convicted of sexual abuse, leading to mass protests. However, the country's highest court later ruled that they were guilty of rape, sparking national conversations on the topic.
The trial of Dani Alves represents a critical moment in discussing and addressing sexual assault in Spain. Under the revised legal framework, allegations of rape are now investigated under the general accusation of sexual assault, with rape considered an aggravating factor.
Dani Alves, who has an illustrious career with over 40 trophies won for Brazil and clubs including Barcelona, Sevilla, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain, was fired by Mexico's Pumas UNAM following his arrest. As the trial unfolds, both sports fans and observers of the Spanish legal system await the outcome of this significant case.
