iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
The goal-scoring striker is suffering from a muscle injury sustained during the Champions League quarter-final loss to Real Madrid
KT APPDOWNLOAD
'It was consensual sex,' Brazil footballer claims in court after being accused of rape
In Spain, a claim of rape is investigated under the general accusation of sexual assault and convictions can lead to jail time of between four and 15 years
Brazilian defender Dani Alves. — AFP file
Brazilian football player Dani Alves said on Monday he had consensual sex with a woman who has accused him of sexual assault, changing his version of what happened in a Barcelona nightclub in late December.
The 39-year-old, who has been jailed without bail since Jan. 20, appeared before the judge handling the investigation on Monday at his own request, his lawyers said in a statement.
"He assured he didn't initially tell what had happened and denied the sexual contact because his only priority was to save his marriage," the statement said.
Alves told the judge there was immediate interest and sexual tension between him and his accuser. "He said that everything that happened inside the restroom was a free and voluntary act. They made love and (she) didn't say at any time to stop", the statement added.
Alves had previously denied any sexual encounter with the woman who filed a complaint in January about an alleged sexual assault in a restroom at an exclusive Barcelona nightclub.
Two weeks before his arrest in January, Alves said in a video sent to local TV channel Antena 3 that he did not know who the woman was.
In February, the court rejected Alves' demand to be released.
A spokesperson for the Barcelona court where Alves testified on Monday declined to comment.
The lawyer representing the alleged victim and a spokesperson for the prosecutor's body did not respond to a request for comment.
The case has attracted significant attention in Spain, in part because of Alves' prominence but primarily because sexual assault has remained a dominant political theme since a 2016 gang-rape of a teenager during the San Fermin bull-running festival which led to the toughening of sexual violence laws in the country.
In Spain, a claim of rape is investigated under the general accusation of sexual assault and convictions can lead to jail time of between four and 15 years.
Following his arrest, Alves, who has played in the past for teams such as FC Barcelona and Paris-St-Germain, was fired by Mexico's Pumas UNAM and his wife, model Joana Sanz, left him.
ALSO READ:
More news from Sports
'When we have bad days, we are so bad. When we are good, we are capable of everything,' said the manager
BCCI's honorary secretary Jay Shah said the star batter 'inspired millions worldwide with his heroics with the bat and immaculate display of character'
Amidst the sport’s global growth organisers Ethara will host a special event at Louvre Abu Dhabi to announce details of the race’s 16th edition on December 6-8, 2024
With their luggage missing, the youngsters entered the competition without their UAE jerseys - but what they didn't lack was the motivation to perform for the country
The American reinforces his dominant position as No 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking for a fourth victory in five outings
Former Ryder Cup player employed a unique putting technique to edge David Toms for first victory in five years
A former amateur champion in the UK the Newcastle-native says his short game has improved since relocating to the UAE
