Dani Alves rape trial: When final verdict is expected in case carrying potential nine-year prison sentence for ex-Barcelona player

Alves had been in pre-trial custody for more than a year without bail, with the alleged incident taking place in December 2022. He stands accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a nightclub in Barcelona, and Spanish public prosecutors are requesting that he serves a nine-year prison sentence - as per The Athletic.

Wednesday was the final day of the trial at a Barcelona court, and Alves took to the stand to deny any wrongdoing. The Athletic states that a verdict in the case is expected to arrive in 19 days, on February 27, 2024.

Alves' accuser had previously told the court he forced her into having sex with him after luring her into a VIP section toilet in the Barcelona nightclub - as the BBC reports. Alves testified that at "no time" did she ask to leave and insisted he is "not a violent man". He also denied hitting the woman and grabbing her hair as he spent around 20 minutes on the stand.

According to the BBC, Alves claimed that he had suffered a trial by media, and requested to push back the start date for more time to prepare, but it was denied by the court. Before Alves was indicted in August, his lawyers attempted to discredit testimony by his accuser by presenting security camera footage from the nightclub where the alleged incident took place. The court responded by saying any alleged flirting should not “in any way justify an eventual sexual assault”.

Prosecutors are also asking that Alves pay a €150,000 compensation fee to the alleged victim, and for him to not be allowed within one kilometre of her.

Alves is a former Brazil international and one of the most decorated players in football history, having enjoyed successful spells at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, but has not played in a competitive setting since being released by Mexican club Pumas UNAM in January 2023.