Former Barcelona and Brazil defender, Dani Alves, has been officially charged by a Spanish judge after being jailed in January on allegations of sexual assault. The incident allegedly occurred in a Barcelona nightclub in December.
The judge found evidence of wrongdoing by the 40-year-old and he has been held in prison without bail, with his requests for release being denied.
Alves maintains that the sexual encounter with his accuser was consensual, as stated by his lawyer, Cristobal Martell.
ALSO READ:Â 5 reasons why Nigerian youths resort to drugs
In Spain, accusations of rape are investigated under the broader category of sexual assault, and if convicted, offenders can face prison sentences ranging from four to 15 years. The prosecution will now present formal charges to the court, and a trial date will be set.
During his career, Alves played 408 times for Barcelona, winning six league titles and three Champions Leagues across two spells.
He was also a member of Brazil’s 2022 World Cup squad. In January, his most recent club, Mexican side Pumas UNAM, terminated his contract immediately following the allegations.
