“We will appeal”: Dani Alves sentenced to four and a half years in prison for rape

The high-profile rape case of Dani Alves has finally come to an end.

After hearings that took place in early February, the court sentenced the football player to four and a half years in prison and five suspended years, as well as a fine of €150 thousand. In addition, the athlete will not be able to approach the victim until almost 2033.

The prosecution demanded that the Brazilian be sent to prison for a longer term, but the punishment was commuted.

At the same time, the 13 months he has already served are also counted. 

The verdict states that, despite the defense's testimony and the absence of bodily injuries, the court has evidence of rape.

The accused suddenly grabbed the applicant, threw her to the floor and, without allowing her to move, dishonored her, although the girl did not consent to this and wanted to leave.

Alves does not agree with the court's decision.

And according to his lawyer Ines Guardiola, the defense will appeal.

“All I can tell you at this time is that we are going to appeal the verdict and that I continue to believe and defend Mr. Alves’s innocence.

4.5 years is much better than the 9 or 12 years the prosecution asked for, but we will still appeal.

I will see him and explain the essence of the sentence.

He is courageous, everything needs to be studied to prove his innocence,” the lawyer said.

However, the prosecution is also considering the option of filing an appeal.

Although the representative of the plaintiff, David Saez, noted that he was satisfied with the verdict.

“We still need to evaluate everything.

We have time to consider.

We are satisfied because this is a verdict that acknowledges the truth of the victim and the suffering she endured.

We have yet to assess whether the severity of the punishment corresponds to the facts [presented],” Saez said.

As the lawyer explained, the moral and physical damage caused to his client cannot be eliminated.

That is why the prosecutor's office asked for nine years in prison.

If an appeal is filed by either party, it will be considered by the High Court of Catalonia.

Then the final verdict will be known in the spring.

At the same time, according to the rules of Spanish law, after 28 months a prisoner can receive relief.

In particular, he will be given the opportunity to leave prison during the day and go home on weekends.

But only subject to proper behavior and compensation to the victim.

In addition, in January 2026, after serving two-thirds of his sentence, Alves will be eligible for parole.

This court decision, of course, was a serious blow for Dani.

Even before the verdict was announced, his psychological state caused concern to his loved ones.

According to a former cellmate of the ex-Barcelona defender, a suicide prevention protocol was followed in relation to him.

It includes suicide risk assessment, constant monitoring of the prisoner, control of access to dangerous objects, restriction of movement, individual and group therapy, and recreational activities.

At the same time, according to media reports, the football player wanted to escape to Brazil, with which Spain does not have an extradition agreement, but was unable to do so because he never received temporary release.

However, if the appeal fails, Alves can still avoid imprisonment.

As lawyer Agustin Martinez explained, the sentence is worded in such a way that it means Dani’s almost immediate release.

“The Criminal Code allows the expulsion from the country of those foreigners whose sentence does not exceed five years, which is why they do not serve their sentence either in our country or in Brazil.

Therefore, I believe he will ask to be expelled from the country, and the court will allow this,” the specialist said.

Refused the last word

Alves' rape hearing took place in early February and was held behind closed doors.

According to the prosecution, Dani sexually assaulted a girl in the toilet of the Sutton nightclub in Barcelona in December 2022.

The prosecutor's office demanded nine years in prison for the football player.

The victim's cousin and friend spoke at the hearings.

Both pointed to the emotional state of the girl, who after the incident cried as never before, but at first did not want publicity.

Sutton club director Robert Massanet said roughly the same thing.

That evening, a girl was brought to him who allegedly became a victim of sexual violence and pointed at the football player.

At the same time, according to the victim, she went with him to the toilet of her own free will, but then she wanted to leave, but the Brazilian did not allow her. 

The police also confirmed the plaintiff’s version: footage from the club’s surveillance cameras completely coincided with her words.

In addition, many law enforcement officers who testified recalled the girl’s difficult emotional state when talking about what happened.

Alves had a different version.

According to Bruno, a close friend of the Brazilian, the alleged victim herself went into the toilet after the football player.

And when she came out, he did not see any traces of violence on her face.

At the same time, the athlete’s wife confirmed that he came home very drunk that evening. 

According to the player, everything happened by mutual consent.

It was the girl who took the first step and never asked to stop.

At the same time, when the time came for the last word, Dani refused it.

Moreover, back in November, the defense tried to pay the plaintiff compensation, which would have allowed the Brazilian’s sentence to be reduced to two years in prison, but the victim refused reconciliation.

As the girl’s lawyer, Esther Garcia, said, in the case of any crimes against sexual freedom, moral damage and consequences are irreparable.