Brazilian football star Dani Alves has been convicted of sexual assault against a young woman in a Barcelona nightclub, according to a ruling by a Spanish court on Thursday.
The verdict, delivered by a three-judge panel, imposes a sentence of four years and six months on Alves.
Throughout the trial, which spanned three days this month, Alves, aged 40, maintained his innocence. However, the decision is subject to appeal.
The court determined that Alves committed sexual assault against the victim in the early hours of December 31, 2022, when she alleged he raped her in a bathroom at a high-end Barcelona nightclub.
State prosecutors had pushed for a nine-year prison term for Alves, while the victim’s legal team sought 12 years.
Alves’ defense had requested either acquittal or, if convicted, a one-year sentence along with a 50,000 euro (£42,765) compensation payment to the victim.
