The top court in Spain's Catalonia region said on Friday it had overturned the conviction of Brazilian soccer player Dani Alves for sexual assault on appeal, saying the original ruling presented "inconsistencies and contradictions".
Former Barcelona and Brazil defender Dani Alves was formally indicted on Wednesday on charges of sexual assault of a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in December.
Barcelona right back Dani Alves has completed his move to Italian champions Juventus on a two-year contract, the Turin-based club said on Monday. The 33-year-old Brazilian had earlier announced he would leave Barca as a free agent after eight successful seasons, during which he won 23 titles.
The public prosecutor has accused Alves of forcing the woman to have sex without her consent and without using a condom. The 23-year-old woman testified behind a screen with her voice distorted to protect her identity.
The former Barcelona, Juventus and PSG defender had been held at Brians 2 since January 2023. He was convicted on February 22 of raping the woman in a Barcelona nightclub's restroom and ordered to pay her 150,000 euros. He has appealed against the conviction, which was not final.
The three-judge panel denied a request by Alves's lawyer Ines Guardiola for the trial to be suspended on the basis that he was not given enough time to prepare for his first police interview after his arrest and had suffered a parallel trial by media.
Alves joined Barcelona from Sevilla in 2008 and made 391 appearances, becoming a regular under ex-managers Pep Guardiola, Tito Vilanova, Tata Martino and Luis Enrique before leaving for Juventus in 2016.
Barcelona defender Dani Alves, who was victim of racism during a La Liga match against Villareal on Sunday, found support from his football colleagues from all over world as they showed their solidarity on social networking websites on Tuesday.
News of that transpired on and off the football field
Dani Alves faces charges of sexual assault of a woman in a Barcelona nightclub last December.
Alves had maintained the sex was consensual. The prosecutor was seeking a nine-year prison term.
Dani Alves has blamed the media for Brazil's unsuccessful World Cup campaign but conceded that the team did not prepare properly ahead of the humiliating 7-1 defeat by Germany in the semi-final.
A Spanish prosecutor is seeking a prison term of nine years for former Barcelona and Brazil soccer player Dani Alves who is due to stand trial on charges of sexual assault against a woman.
Alves had previously denied any sexual encounter with the woman who filed a complaint in January about an alleged sexual assault in a restroom at an exclusive Barcelona nightclub.
Dani Alves, who has denied any wrongdoing, was taken to the Brians 1 jail outside Barcelona.
Barcelona defender Dani Alves launched a foul-mouthed tirade on social media on Friday over football coverage by the Spanish press.
World No.1 Serena Williams has held on to her top position in the latest women's tennis rankings issued by the WTA.
Barcelona's Brazil right back Dani Alves has decided to leave the Nou Camp after eight years with the Spanish champions, the club said on Thursday.
'Will I be playing at Barca next season? It's an unknown'
Barcelona defender Dani Alves will be out of action for up to two months after having surgery on a fractured right collarbone sustained during training on Wednesday.
Barcelona fullback Dani Alves has been ruled out with a hamstring strain for 15 to 20 days, the La Liga leaders said on Monday.
The court also imposed a restraining order barring Alves from coming within 1,000 metres (3,300 feet) of the victim.
Brazil are looking to send a message to supporters and rivals in the World Cup's opening match, right back Dani Alves said on Monday, raising the stakes for the clash against Croatia.
The Real Madrid-Barcelona 'Clasico' is televised around the world and often decides the La Liga title, but a Seville derby is a tougher proposition, Barca defender and former Sevilla favourite Dani Alves has said.
A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Friday
Juventus defender Dani Alves produced an inspired display capped by a stunning volleyed goal in a 2-1 win over AS Monaco on Tuesday that took the Italians into their second Champions League final in three years.
Barcelona should seek to refine their current playing style and forget about adopting a Plan B for situations such as those they faced against Celtic in the Champions League, defender Dani Alves said on Friday.
Spanish court rejects Brazil footballer's Dani Alves appeal against remand over sex claim
Barcelona defender Dani Alves has agreed a two-year contract extension to the end of the 2016-17 season with an option for a further year, the Spanish and European champions said on Tuesday.
Five-time world player of the year Lionel Messi of Argentina, Chile's Alexis Sanchez and Brazilian Dani Alves were among the big names in the final rosters announced on Monday for next month's Copa America Centenario.
Their stunning football has been a pleasure to watch for both fans and neutrals this season.
"I have already made my decision but will not disclose until game time," Tite said.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field on Thursday
"Neymar and Messi are unique: they see and do things nobody else sees or can do. A great player must know and understand who he plays with, your teammates enrich your qualities."
The win moved Barcelona up to fourth place on 38 points from 22 games
Brazil's Neymar said on Friday he was unsure if he would play again for the national team after their heartbreaking World Cup quarter-final defeat to Croatia on penalties.
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri is confident Paul Pogba will stay put at the club despite talks about the French midfielder leaving for England or Spain.
After the game ended 1-1 in normal time, Malcom raced onto a diagonal ball from Antony and got the better of Jesus Vallejo before driving the winner into the far corner in the 108th minute to ensure Brazil repeated their Rio 2016 triumph.
Players from European champions Barcelona made up nearly half of UEFA's Team of the Year which was revealed on Friday, while Cristiano Ronaldo made the lineup for a record 10th time. Eight players from La Liga were included in the final XI, voted for by 7.2 million UEFA.com users from a 40-strong shortlist. Lionel Messi, Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta and Neymar were the Barcelona players included, while Real Madrid provided Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez.
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