Dani Alves: Brazilian footballer Dani Alves has won his appeal against a sexual assault conviction, with a Spanish court overturning the ruling on Friday. The decision, which cited "insufficient evidence", marks a significant reversal in the high-profile case that had captivated global attention.
Alves, a former Barcelona and Brazil international star, had been found guilty in February 2024 of raping a woman in a nightclub in December 2022. The conviction resulted in a prison sentence of four years and six months. However, throughout the legal process, the footballer consistently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining his innocence during the three-day trial.
Following his conviction, Alves was granted provisional release in March 2024 on a bail of 1 million euros (USD 1.08 million), as his legal team prepared to take the case to a higher court. On Friday, that court ruled in his favor, stating that there was "insufficient evidence" to uphold the previous verdict.
