Barcelona legend Dani Alves’ rape trial has begun in Spain, according to the BBC. This comes after he was accused of raping a woman in a nightclub in December 2022.
Dani Alves has been in pretrial detention for more than a year. If he is found guilty, the Blaugrana legend could face up to 12 years in prison.
Before the trial began, he reportedly initially denied meeting his accusers. However, he later changed his testimony and allegedly said he had sex with her and that it was consensual. However, the accuser reportedly gave evidence in court on the first day of the trial and said that he had been assaulted by Dani Alves inside the club.
Friends and cousins of the accuser appeared in court to testify as witnesses and corroborated her story. Around 30 people, including Dani Alves, are expected to share their testimony in court during the trial.
Prosecutors in the case are reportedly seeking nine years in prison and a €150,000 fine if the Barcelona legend is found guilty of rape. There is also controversy over the decision of her mother, Dona Lucia, to publish the names of her accusers on social media, in defiance of the court’s ruling.
Dani Alves is considered one of the best full-backs of all time, winning 43 senior trophies during his career. He spent his golden years at Camp Nou before leaving his legacy in Catalonia. His most recent contract with Mexican club Pumas UNAM was terminated after rape allegations became public.
Deco questions narrative about Josep Guardiola’s influence at Barcelona
Before winning the treble with Manchester City, Guardiola won his sixth with Barça in 2009. There are also claims that the Catalan tactician turned the team into the best team of all time, but sporting director Deco disputed this.
In an interview with La Vanguardia newspaper, Deco explained (via Football Espana):
“When he arrived at Barcelona, people talked about it being a great revolution, but that’s a big lie. Ronaldinho and I left, but he had Xavi, Iniesta, the promoted Busquets, Africa’s best player, Yahya. There was Toure, Messi and of course Samuel Eto’o.”
But Deco admitted Guardiola had “built the best team”.
“Guardiola is a smart man, and when he took over he was disciplined, focused on his qualities as a manager, and built the best team I’ve ever seen in my life. I knew not to waste it.”
The sporting director is currently part of Barcelona’s search for a new manager following Xavi Hernández’s decision to leave the club at the end of the season.