A Spanish judge has ordered Brazilian soccer player Dani Alves to be remanded without bail for an alleged sexual assault of a woman in a Barcelona nightclub, a local judiciary said on Friday.
A source familiar with the matter said the 39-year-old, who has denied any wrongdoing, has been transferred to Brienc prison outside Barcelona.
Earlier today, Dani Alves appeared before a judge in Barcelona after he was detained and questioned by the police. The public prosecutor requested that he be held without bail pending trial.
Alves’ agent did not respond to a request for comment.
The Mexican League of Lights said it was following the case and the legal situation of Alves with his club, Pumas UNAM, who currently plays for him, to determine “what is appropriate for his participation in the league.”
Pumas Onam said he would “take appropriate measures” and apply the penalties “provided in the employment contract signed with the player”.
“The club will announce as soon as possible what it will determine in this case,” the statement added.
Dani Alves – Reuters archive
“I don’t know this lady.”
The Catalan court said in a statement that the alleged victim had filed a complaint earlier this month and that the case remained open due to the crime of sexual assault.
Alves said in an interview with Antena 3 TV earlier this month that he was at the club with other people and denied any such behaviour.
“I was dancing and having a good time without harassing anyone. I don’t know this lady. How can I do this to a woman? (Of course) not,” the Pumas player explained.
Dani Alves
Oldest Brazilian player to participate in the World Cup
Alves played for Barcelona from 2008-2016, then returned to the Spanish club for a short period in the 2021-2022 season, before moving to Mexico.
He has played 126 matches with the Brazilian national team since 2006, scoring six goals.
Dani Alves became the oldest Brazilian player to participate in the World Cup when he wore the armband of his country’s national team against Cameroon in Qatar last month.
Alves holds the record for the most championship-winning player, with 43 titles at club and national level.
