Dani Alves Has Rape Conviction Annulled

A Spanish appeals court overturned on Friday former Brazil international footballer Dani Alves' rape conviction, arguing his trial was marked by "shortcomings" and "inaccuracies".

- Agence France-Presse

Alves was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail in February last year for raping a young woman in the VIP bathroom of a Barcelona nightclub on December 31, 2022.

The 41-year-old, who won the Champions League three times with Barcelona, was released from jail last March pending his appeal after he posted the one million euros ($1.1 million) bail set by the court.

The appeals court said its four judges had "unanimously" accepted the player's appeal and "annulled" his conviction.

The court also rejected the appeal filed by public prosecutors, who were seeking a more severe jail term of nine years.