After being indicted by a judge in a sexual assault case in Spain on Wednesday, Dani Alves has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
The Brazilian football star told the judge in a court in Barcelona that he disagreed with the investigation’s findings into allegations that he had sexually assaulted a lady in a nightclub on December 30.
Alves was indicted after the judge formally notified him of her conclusions. The charges against him will now be detailed by the prosecution.
A trial date will be scheduled later this year or early in 2024.
Alves was additionally instructed to reserve 150,000 euros ($164,000) for his alleged victim in the event that he is ultimately proven guilty and is ordered to pay damages.
Lawyers said that the former Barcelona defender spoke briefly before the judge on Wednesday. He has said that the sex was consensual.
Alves has been in custody since January awaiting the conclusion of the investigation. He is expected to remain in custody awaiting the trial. His bail requests have been denied because he is considered a flight risk. The player had offered to turn in his passports and wear a tracking device.
Dani Alves is set to be prosecuted with rape by the Spanish legal system on Wednesday. https://t.co/x8j23CUDiH
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 1, 2023
Trending Stories: Mauricio Pochettino Has Meeting Plan For Chelsea Trio He Looks To Finalise Squad
A judge ordered Alves to be jailed after analyzing the initial probe by authorities and hearing testimony from the alleged victim, witnesses and Alves.
Alves’ lawyers unsuccessfully tried to discredit testimony by the alleged victim and other witnesses by presenting security camera footage at the nightclub. The court has said that any flirting should not “in any way justify an eventual sexual assault.”
Under Spain’s sexual consent law, sexual assault takes in a wide array of crimes. This ranges from online abuse and groping to rape, each with different possible punishments.
A case of rape can carry a maximum sentence of 15 years.
