Key Takeaways:

• Dani Alves' rape conviction was overturned by a Spanish court due to insufficient evidence.
• The ruling highlights inconsistencies in the accuser's testimony compared to video evidence.
• This case is among the first to be judged under Spain's new consent laws enacted in 2022.
• Alves had already been released from jail on bail while awaiting his appeal, which he has now won.

In a significant legal development, former Barcelona footballer Dani Alves had his rape conviction overturned by a Spanish court on March 28, 2025. Alves, who was convicted in February 2024 of sexually assaulting a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022, received a sentence of four years and six months. The court's ruling was unanimous, with judges stating there was "insufficient evidence" to negate Alves' presumption of innocence.

The trial, which was notable as one of the first high-profile cases examined under the "only yes means yes" law introduced in Spain in 2022, aimed to clearly define consent in sexual offenses. The law came as a response to increased public demands for greater protection of victims following high-profile incidents of sexual violence. In their decision, the Catalan high court highlighted inconsistencies in the plaintiff's testimony and noted that it significantly differed from video evidence available, particularly concerning her interactions with Alves prior to the incident.

Alves’ defense attorney, Inés Guardiola, expressed relief at the ruling, stating, "Justice has finally been served," and emphasized his innocence. The court found that the testimony lacking reliability also suggested that the accuser voluntarily entered the bathroom, countering her claims that she felt forced to do so due to Alves' friends.

Prior to the appeal, Alves had spent over a year in jail from January 20, 2023, until his release on bail of approximately €1 million (around $1.2 million). Following the ruling, all restrictions imposed on him were lifted, clearing him to travel without limitations.

This revision of the conviction could select further appeal to the Supreme Court, a prospect that raised questions about whether the case would be revisited as public and legal discourse surrounding consent continues to evolve in Spain.

Alves, who is 41 and celebrated for his legacy in world football, played for prestigious clubs including Barcelona, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain, winning numerous titles including two Copa America trophies with Brazil. Most recently, he was under contract with the Mexican club, Pumas, which was terminated immediately upon his arrest.

For more details, refer to Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Africa News.