Dani Alves sentenced to 4.5 years in prison. Former Barcelona star must also pay hefty compensation for sexual assault

Dani Alves must go to prison for four and a half years, a Barcelona court ruled on Thursday morning. The former Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil national team star must also pay hefty damages for sexual assault.

Alves began being investigated by a Catalan court for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in a nightclub in January last year. He was then placed in a remand prison a month later, looking hopeful that he could be released on bail.

But that was eventually rejected by the court and the former Brazilian footballer has been in custody ever since. The reason for this decision was that, given his wealth, his remaining in Spain would be at risk.

Another court hearing was awaited until February 7 this year. There the former Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain star footballer again denied that he had sexually assaulted the woman. It should be noted, however, he changed his version of the story several times throughout the investigation.

This was also because he was afraid that his wife Joanna Sanz would leave him as a result of having sex with another woman. The holder of six Spanish titles first said that he had not met the woman at the club where he went to dance.

However, he then admitted that he had unprotected sex with the woman in question, with her consent. He also noted that it was the woman who had seduced him during the dance and who had eventually voluntarily left with him to go to the toilets.

Alves added that he did not force the woman to do anything or behave violently. “In any case, I am not that type, I am not a violent person. If she wanted to leave, she could have. She was not obliged to be there,” said the 40-year-old Brazilian, whose words were previously quoted by The Guardian.

Alves must go to prison for 4.5 years

About two weeks have passed since that court hearing, after which the wait for the final verdict is over. Alves was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for sexual assault by a Barcelona court. The court also awarded the victim damages of 150,000 euros.

After his release from prison, Alves will be on probation for five years. The 40-year-old Brazilian last played for Mexican club UNAM. However, he was sacked by the club last January due to a scandal. And since then the former outside back has been without a contract.

Source: Sky Sports