Alves courts criticism as he walks free after posting €1m bail in rape case

Brazilian football icon Dani Alves walked free from a Barcelona prison on Monday, after posting a hefty €1 million bail.

The former Barcelona player, once lauded as one of the world’s finest defenders, had been incarcerated since January 2023 on charges of raping a woman at a nightclub on December 31, 2022.

Alves’ release comes after a court agreed to grant him conditional bail last week, despite his recent conviction and four-and-a-half-year prison sentence. Donning casual attire and an expressionless demeanour, the 40-year-old exited the Brians 2 prison accompanied by his legal counsel.

While the decision to grant bail has sparked outrage, particularly from Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva who decried it as “injustice”, it comes after Alves’ lawyers swiftly filed an appeal following his conviction last month.

The appeals process could span months, during which Alves must adhere to strict conditions, including surrendering his passports and weekly court appearances.

Prosecutors, however, are seeking to double Alves’ sentence to nine years, alleging the former player violently forced himself upon the victim despite her pleas.

The victim’s lawyer, Ester Garcia, condemned the bail ruling as “justice for the rich”, sending a “dangerous message” that money can circumvent criminal consequences. Garcia revealed her client’s anguish and frustration at the decision.

During the trial, the victim testified anonymously, recounting the “anguish and terror” she endured as Alves purportedly raped her, refuting defence claims of mutual “sexual tension”.

The court’s 61-page verdict acknowledged the victim’s lack of consent, aligning with Spain’s recent legislation requiring explicit approval for sexual acts. Alves’ lawyers had argued the victim was “glued” to the player while dancing, though the court dismissed this as justification.

Alves, once a stalwart at Barcelona alongside Lionel Messi from 2008 to 2016, amassed 42 trophies throughout his illustrious career. However, his former Mexican club Pumas UNAM swiftly terminated his contract following the arrest.