LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Dani Alves, a former fullback for Brazil and Barcelona, has once more been denied bail as part of the ongoing investigation into a sexual assault claim.
The 40-year-old was detained in January 2023 in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a lady on December 30, 2022, in a nightclub in Barcelona.
Alves’ contract with Mexican team Pumas UNAM was canceled as a result of the charge, and he was held without bond.
The Brazilian’s defense repeatedly asked the Barcelona court to release him on bond while the inquiry was ongoing, but the judge consistently rejected their demands.
The most recent of these refusals occurred last month, with one occurring as early as February.
READ ALSO: Assault: Thembinkosi Lorch Convicted Of Beating Ex-girlfriend
After reviewing video submitted by the defense showing alleged flirtation with the accuser, it was once more decided on Monday that Alves will remain in jail.
However, the court rejected this evidence, holding that flirtation does not “in any way justify an eventual sexual assault.”
Despite the defense’s willingness to surrender Alves’ passports and consent to a tracking device, he is still in detention and has apparently been labeled a flight risk.
The judge rejected his claims that he and his family intended to settle in Barcelona after discovering that his children had only recently been registered as local citizens.