A Spanish appeals court has overturned the rape conviction of former Brazil international footballer Dani Alves, citing “shortcomings” and “inaccuracies” in his trial.
Alves, who was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for sexually assaulting a young woman in the VIP bathroom of a Barcelona nightclub on December 31, 2022, had his conviction annulled following a unanimous ruling by four judges.
The 41-year-old, who won three Champions League titles with Barcelona, had been released from jail last March after posting a one-million-euro bail while awaiting his appeal.
Real Madrid’s Ancelotti Faces Trial for Tax Fraud
Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti is set to stand trial next week over allegations of tax fraud. Prosecutors accuse the 65-year-old Italian of failing to declare more than one million euros in image rights earnings between 2014 and 2015.
If convicted, Ancelotti faces a potential prison sentence of four years and nine months. The trial, scheduled to begin on Wednesday, is expected to last two days, with the court confirming that the legendary coach must be physically present for the hearings.
Ancelotti, who has won a record five Champions League titles as a manager—including three with Real Madrid—will now have to defend himself against charges brought by Spain’s tax authorities.
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