The Mexican football club Pumas Onam announced the termination of the contract of its Brazilian player, Dani Alves, former Barcelona defender, after he was arrested on charges of sexual assault.
Alves was arrested in Barcelona on Friday, following allegations that he assaulted a woman in a nightclub toilet, while Alves, 39, denied the charge.
Pumas Onam club announced - through a brief statement it published on its website yesterday, Friday, and a media statement from its president, Leopoldo Silva - the termination of the contract with Alves.
"The club confirms its commitment not to tolerate any behavior by any individual - whatever their personality - that is contrary to the spirit and values of the club," Silva said.
The arrest of Brazilian international Dani Alves on suspicion of his involvement in the crime of sexually assaulting a woman in a nightclub in Barcelona, according to the British Daily Mail.# Al Jazeera_Sport pic.twitter.com/j7clBBsM8I
– Al Jazeera Sport (@AJASports) January 20, 2023
"We cannot allow the behavior of one person to harm our business philosophy, which has set an example throughout history," he added.
Alves had joined the Mexican team in 2022 after the end of his second term with Barcelona.
Alves became the oldest player to participate in the World Cup with the Brazil national team when he played with the team in the match against Cameroon in the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Wasit news reports stated that Alves - who previously played for Spanish teams Sevilla, French Paris Saint-Germain and Italian Juventus - submitted a statement to the Catalan police regarding the allegations.
Spanish newspapers said that Alves was transferred to Briance prison outside Barcelona (Reuters)
Spanish newspapers said the player was transferred to Briance prison outside Barcelona.
Earlier yesterday, Dani Alves appeared before a judge in Barcelona after he was detained and questioned by the police, and the public prosecutor requested that he be held without bail pending trial.