The woman who accused former Brazil and Barcelona defender, Dani Alves of rape has officially appealed the recent court decision that overturned his conviction, her lawyer confirmed on Monday.
Alves, now 41, was initially sentenced in February last year to four-and-a-half years in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a young woman in the VIP bathroom of a Barcelona nightclub on December 31, 2022.
However, on March 28, a Barcelona appeals court reversed the ruling, citing “inconsistencies and contradictions” in the trial proceedings and concluding that the evidence presented was not strong enough to uphold the conviction.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, the complainant’s legal representative, Ester Garcia, said, “The appeal was lodged today, which was the last day it could be submitted.” She declined to elaborate further, stating, “For reasons of strategy, the reasons for which we are appealing will not be made public.”
The public prosecutor’s office in Catalonia also revealed last week that it intends to challenge the ruling through a separate appeal.
The decision to overturn the conviction has ignited public backlash in Spain. Hundreds turned out in Barcelona last week for a protest organized by feminist groups, voicing their frustration over the case. Members of Spain’s leftist government have also expressed concern.
Deputy Prime Minister Maria Jesus Montero criticized the decision, calling it “a step backwards” and adding that “it was a shame” that a rape victim’s testimony “is still being questioned.”
Alves had been in custody from his arrest in January 2023 until March 2024, when he was granted release pending appeal after posting bail of one million euros (approximately $1.1 million).
Widely regarded as one of football’s most decorated defenders, Alves starred in an era-defining Barcelona side, winning three Champions League trophies and six La Liga titles.
His illustrious career also saw him win league titles with both Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, along with earning 126 caps for Brazil.
