A Spanish court ruling casts a shadow over the football world as Dani Alves, former FC Barcelona star, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for sexual assault. The case reopens the discussion about the legal problems facing some of the sport’s most famous players. Alves’ sentence is a reminder that even the most famous athletes can face serious charges and highlights the importance of legal accountability regardless of public profile or achievements on the pitch. For example, Lionel Messi appeared in court in the past, Cristiano Ronaldo also faced accusations of sexual violence.
???????????? ???????????????????????????????? | Dani Alves sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison for sexual assault.
Plus 5 years of supervised release + incommunication with the victim for 9 years and 6 months.
He will also pay compensation of €150,000 and legal costs, reports @partidazocope. pic.twitter.com/ojVjbSm43z
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) February 22, 2024
Alves was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a nightclub late last year. “It was proven that the victim did not consent to intercourse. There is evidence, apart from the testimony of the prosecutor, that proves that the rape took place,” the court said in the Alves case. It certainly didn’t help the footballer that he changed his version of what happened several times. At first he claimed that he did not know the victim at all. He later said that he wanted to save his marriage with this lie. Subsequently, he began to claim that the woman should have seduced him and that the joint intercourse in the toilet of the club was by mutual consent.
The Spanish court has now sentenced him to four and a half years in prison, with the provision that he must pay over 3.7 million crowns to the victims. He can appeal against the judgment. The plaintiff is satisfied with the court’s decision. “We are pleased because the verdict recognizes what we have been saying all along, that the victim was telling the truth and that she suffered,” the victim’s attorney said.
BREAKING: Former Barcelona and Brazilian footballer Dani Alves has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison after being found guilty of sexual assault. pic.twitter.com/nKymmFgXlQ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 22, 2024
But Alves is not the only famous soccer player who has faced accusations of rape. Cristiano Ronaldo also experienced his scandal. He was accused by American Kathryn Mayorga of raping her in a hotel room in Las Vegas in 2009. She later spoke to the newspaper about how this experience with Ronaldo affected her psychologically. She also thought about suicide. The Portuguese attacker admitted that he had intercourse with the woman. However, according to him, it was voluntary and he denies any accusation of rape. Due to insufficient evidence, Ronaldo was ultimately not tried.
In 2022, British winger and striker Mason Greenwood faced allegations of physical assault, threats to kill and even rape of his partner. She published and even provided the court with an audio recording in which Greenwood forced her to have sex. Although it appeared that he would be convicted, the case was quickly put on hold, mainly due to the withdrawal of testimony from key witnesses. His football career was not particularly affected by this case. He now plays in the Spanish club Getafe CF, where he is on loan from Manchester United.
Mason Greenwood forcing his ex girlfriend to have sex with him recorded… So disgusting from Mason ???? pic.twitter.com/IF1EAzVwkU
— Prominence ☻ (@Promi_nence) January 30, 2022
An extreme fate met Iranian football player Amir Nasr Azadani. He was accused of participating in the killing of two members of the local security forces and a colonel during a protest for women’s rights. He was sentenced to death in early 2023. The sentence was later commuted to twenty-six years behind bars.
Even the holder of eight Ballon d’Ors, Lionel Messi, did not avoid clashes with the law. He faced up to twenty-one months in prison for tax fraud. Together with his father, he was found guilty of three cases of tax fraud. The sentence of imprisonment was eventually commuted to the payment of a huge fine. Together with his father, Messi paid almost five million euros.
