A Spanish court denied Dani Alves’ appeal on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, to be freed on bail while the investigation of a sexual assault accusation against the Brazilian soccer player continues.
The court ruled that Alves was a flight risk and must remain in prison during the investigation. A trial date has not been set.
Alves was provisionally detained in January after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a nightclub on Dec. 30.
He has denied wrongdoing and said sex with the accuser was consensual.
A judge ordered him to be jailed without bail after analyzing the initial probe by authorities and hearing testimony from Alves, the alleged victim and witnesses.
“Daniel Alves remains as innocent as he was before this ruling,” his defense team said in a statement.
“His desire to leave Spain and elude the process did not, and does not, exist.”
Alves’ lawyers filed the appeal, saying the Brazilian agreed to turn in his passport and wear a tracking device if he was freed.
Alves would also report to the court and to authorities as often as required, including daily, and would not go within 500 meters (yards) of the accuser or her home or workplace.