Dani Alves To Remain In Prison As Court Refuses To Grant Him Bail

Brazilian football icon, Dani Alves has been denied bail in Spain while a sexual assault investigation is ongoing.

The 39-year-old footballer has been in detention since January on suspicion of assaulting a lady in a nightclub.

Alves claimed that he did nothing wrong in connection of the sexual assault which was said to have happened in the city of Barcelona in December.

His lawyer had requested for him to be released from prison on bail in exchange for surrendering his passport and donning an electronic tag.

However, the court rejected the application because the former FC Barcelona defender is said to be posing a flight risk.

A statement from the Barcelona court partly read: “There is a high risk of fleeing as… the severe punishment he faces in the present case and his economic [resources] might make it possible for him… to leave Spain at any time”.

Naija News recalls that after Dani Alves was detained in January, the Mexican team Pumas UNAM terminated his contract.

Alves played 408 games for Barcelona over two stints between 2008 and 2016, earning three Champions Leagues and six La Liga championships.

In addition to playing for Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, the Brazilian defender has made 126 appearances for Brazil, including two at the 2022 World Cup.