Dani Alves, futbolista, se enfrenta a juicio por violación en España

The high-profile trial of the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player, Dani Alves, is scheduled to start at 10 am (0900 GMT) at a court in Spain’s second city. The 40-year-old has been in jail since his arrest in January 2023. A young woman has accused Alves of raping her in a bathroom of the VIP area of the Sutton nightclub in Barcelona in the early hours of December 31, 2022.

Public prosecutors have demanded a prison term of nine years and a compensation of 150,000 euros ($162,000) for the alleged victim. The media will be able to follow the proceedings of the trial, except for when Alves’ accuser takes the stand. Her identity will not be revealed, and she will not have to be “visually confronted with the accused”.

Alves knew the layout of the nightclub well and was there with a friend. After offering champagne to the young woman and her friend, Alves allegedly invited the woman to enter a small enclosure at the nightclub, which she says she did not know was a lavatory. Once inside, the footballer showed a “violent attitude” towards the woman, whom he forced to have intercourse despite her resistance, according to the indictment.

Alves has said he had consensual sex with his accuser after initially denying knowing the woman during a television interview. He claimed that he lied at first about knowing his accuser because he was afraid his wife would leave him if he admitted being with another woman. Spanish courts have repeatedly rejected requests that Alves be released pending his trial, arguing there was a risk he could flee to his native Brazil, which generally does not extradite its citizens.

In Spain a plea deal remains possible right until the start of the trial, meaning Alves could still admit guilt in exchange for a softer penalty. The trial is expected to wrap up on Wednesday. After his arrest, Alves was sacked by his Mexican club Pumas UNAM.

In his career, Alves won 42 trophies, including three Champions Leagues with Barcelona and two Copa Americas with Brazil.