Former FC Barcelona player Dani Alves has been released on bail pending final sentencing in his sexual assault case.
Dani Alves was sentenced to four years and six months in prison in February after being convicted of sexual assault. The Brazilian appealed the sentence and asked to be released on bail during a hearing, insisting he would not flee the country, as reported by El Pais. Alves will now be released from prison, awaiting the final sentence, and with bail set at 1 million euros – according to COPE.
He told the bail hearing: “I believe in justice. I will not run away and I will be at the court’s disposal until the end.” Alves' lawyer, Ines Guardiola, had also argued for the former FC Barcelona star to be released on bail, pointing out that he had a home and deep roots in the city having played for the club between 2008 and 2016, then returned for a second period in 2021.
Deep roots in Barcelona
The disgraced star was refused bail ahead of her sentencing in February, after being deemed a 'flight risk', but is now set to be released after spending the last 14 months behind bars .
In addition to paying bail of one million euros, Alves had his passport revoked, must report to court every week and was banned from coming within a kilometer of his accuser or to communicate with her, according to Mundo Deportivo.
