Brazilian footballer Dani Alves, accused of rape in Spain, has decided not to appeal his dismissal to court so as not to delay his trial, even if he disputes the facts, his defense said on Wednesday.
The Brazilian international, in pre-trial detention since January, appeared Wednesday noon before a Barcelona investigating judge, who informed him of his referral to a court where he will be tried for “sexual assault”, a criminal category which, in Spain, includes rape, the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJCat) said in a statement.
Dani Alves is accused by a young woman of having raped her at the end of December in the toilets of a nightclub in Barcelona.
During this appearance on Wednesday, the magistrate detailed to the 40-year-old player “the incriminating elements” gathered during the investigation which, according to her, justify sending him to court, indicates the press release which did not specify to what date the former side of FC Barcelona and Paris SG will be judged.
In a statement sent to AFP, the defense of Dani Alves added that the player had disputed during this appearance “the account of the facts” made in the order for reference, which “does not correspond”, according to him, “to the reality of what happened”.
“Despite everything, he indicated that he would not appeal” this decision in order to “accelerate” the procedure and not to delay his trial, said his defense.
Alves has been incarcerated since January 20 in the Brians prison complex, about forty kilometers from Barcelona.
One of the most successful footballers in history, he had the most glorious period of his career at Barça, between 2008 and 2016, when he won 23 trophies. He also played for Juventus Turin and PSG.
