Soccer star Dani Alves charged with sexual assault in Spain
Brazilian soccer star Dani Alves was charged Friday with sexual assault in Spain.
The alleged victim testified at a hearing Friday that Alves groped and raped her in the bathroom of a Barcelona nightclub on the night of Dec. 30, ESPN reported.
Alves, 39, was ordered held without bail after the hearing, in which he and a witness also testified. His trial date was not set.
In Spain, a charge of sexual assault can mean anything from unwanted touching to rape. The woman alleged that Alves did both.
Alves most recently played for Mexican club Pumas, which released him following the arrest.
“This is an institution that promotes respect and the correct, dignified and professional behavior of its male and female players both on and off the field,” club president Leopoldo Silva said. “We cannot permit any conduct that would damage our philosophy.”
The woman filed a police report on Jan. 2, according to ESPN. Alves returned to Spain from Mexico to face the charges.
On Jan. 3, Alves gave a statement to Spanish TV channel Antena 3 in which he admitted that he was at the club in question, Sutton, on the night in question, but said he didn’t know the woman.
“I was there having a good time with other people,” Alves said. “Everyone who knows me knows that I like dancing. I was having a good time, but I never invaded the personal space of anyone. I am always respectful.”
Alves became world-famous while playing for transcendent Barcelona teams between 2008 and 2016. He also played for major clubs Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain and won the Copa America twice with the Brazilian national team.
With News Wire Services
