Trial date set for Dani Alves in sexual assault case as prosecutors seek nine-year prison sentence for ex-Brazil and Barcelona defender

Alves was arrested and jailed in January after an allegation of sexual assault was made against him following an incident in a nightclub in Barcelona in December 2022. The former Brazil international subsequently had his contract with Mexican side Pumas terminated and has remained in prison ever since after being denied bail. A court in Barcelona confirmed in November that the case would go to trial and a date has now been set.

Alves is now set to stand trial, with the court confirming proceedings will start on February 5 of next year. Prosecutors are seeking a nine-year jail term for Alves if he is found guilty of sexual assault. The 40-year-old could also receive a restraining order after his release and may have to pay damages worth €150,000 (£130,000/$164,000) to his accuser, according to the BBC.

Alves initially denied knowing his accuser in an interview with Spanish TV channel Antena 3. He subsequently told La Vanguardia in June that he had done nothing wrong.

"I have a really clear conscience regarding what happened that night in the bathroom of the VIP area of the Sutton nightclub," he said. "What happened and what didn't happen. And what didn't happen is that I forced this woman to do anything that we did."

Alves is facing the prospect of more time in jail if he is convicted of sexual assault at the trial. The Brazilian is one of the most decorated players in the game, having won 42 titles during a career that saw him play for top clubs including Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain as well as the Brazil national team.