A Spanish court has overturned former Barcelona star Dani Alves’ rape conviction due to inconsistencies in the ruling. Alves, who was sentenced to four and a half years in prison, had always maintained his innocence. He remains in Spain under strict bail conditions as legal proceedings continue.
Former Barcelona and Brazil footballer Dani Alves has had his rape conviction overturned by a Spanish court following an appeal.
Alves was initially sentenced to four and a half years in prison after being found guilty in February 2024 of sexually assaulting a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022. However, he maintained his innocence, stating that the encounter was consensual.
On Friday, March 28, 2025, the Catalonia region’s top court ruled in his favor, citing inconsistencies in the original verdict. The decision comes after Alves spent months in custody before being released on bail in March 2024 while awaiting his appeal.
To secure his release, the 41-year-old footballer posted a €1 million (£850,000) bail and agreed to strict conditions, including surrendering his passports and reporting to court every Friday. He remains barred from leaving Spain as legal proceedings continue.
Alves, one of football’s most decorated players with 43 career titles, has faced immense public scrutiny since the allegations emerged. His case sparked debates over celebrity justice and the legal challenges surrounding sexual assault cases.
While the ruling clears him of charges, discussions persist regarding the impact of the case on his career and reputation. Meanwhile, legal experts speculate on whether prosecutors will seek further action or if the case will finally be closed.
