On Friday, March 28, 2025, the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC) announced a landmark decision to annul the conviction of former Brazilian football star Daniel Alves for sexual assault. The court's ruling came after it found significant "gaps, inaccuracies, inconsistencies, and contradictions" in the original verdict, which had sentenced Alves to four years and six months in prison for an incident that took place on December 31, 2022, in a Barcelona nightclub.
The case against Alves stemmed from allegations made by a 23-year-old woman, who claimed that he had assaulted her in the bathroom of the Sutton nightclub. The initial trial concluded in February 2024, with the Barcelona Court determining that the victim had not consented to the sexual encounter. The court had cited various pieces of evidence, including the victim's testimony, to support its decision, ultimately leading to Alves's conviction.
However, the TSJC's unanimous ruling on Friday contradicted the earlier findings, stating that the evidence presented in the original trial did not sufficiently establish the guilt of Alves. The judges emphasized that the testimony of the alleged victim lacked reliability, particularly when it came to facts that could be objectively verified through video recordings. They noted that her account "explicitly indicated that what she reported did not correspond to reality." This revelation was pivotal in the court's decision to overturn the conviction.
After spending 14 months in pre-trial detention, Alves was released on bail of one million euros (approximately R$ 6.2 million) in March 2024, while awaiting the outcome of his appeal. The court's recent decision not only annulled the conviction but also lifted all travel restrictions previously imposed on him, allowing him to leave Spain.
In a statement following the ruling, Alves's lawyer, Inés Guardiola, expressed her satisfaction with the court's decision, declaring, "We are very happy. Justice has been done, and it has been proven that Alves is innocent." Meanwhile, the alleged victim's attorney, Ester Garcia, has yet to publicly comment on the ruling.
The implications of this ruling are significant, as it not only clears Alves's name but also raises questions about the judicial process and the standards of evidence required in sexual assault cases. The TSJC highlighted that the presumption of innocence must be upheld unless proven otherwise, stating, "The fact that the accusation has not been substantiated does not mean that the defense's version is accepted as true." This underscores the delicate balance that courts must strike when adjudicating such sensitive cases.
The case has drawn considerable media attention and public scrutiny, particularly given Alves's high profile as a former player for FC Barcelona and the Brazilian national team. His contract with Pumas, a Mexican club, was terminated in 2023 following the allegations, and the club is currently pursuing compensation through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for breach of contract.
As it stands, the decision by the TSJC can still be appealed before the Supreme Court of Spain, meaning that the legal saga surrounding Alves is not yet over. Both the prosecution and the victim have the option to challenge the ruling, which could lead to further developments in this high-profile case.
Alves's acquittal marks a significant moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding sexual assault allegations and the legal frameworks that govern them. With the court's ruling emphasizing the necessity for robust evidence in criminal convictions, it serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in such cases.
As the dust settles on this ruling, Alves is now free to move on from a tumultuous period in his life, while the legal ramifications of the case continue to unfold. The court's decision is a pivotal moment not just for Alves but for the broader conversation about justice, consent, and the treatment of sexual assault allegations in the legal system.
