Footballer Alves Groped Two Women Before Alleged Sexual Assault Court Told – News18

BARCELONA:Former Brazil footballer Dani Alves groped two girls earlier than allegedly sexually assaulting their pal at a Barcelona nightclub in 2022, they instructed a courtroom on Monday at first of a trial within the Spanish metropolis.

A pal and a cousin of the complainant, who had been on the membership together with her that night time, instructed the courtroom Alves invited them over to the VIP space the place he was with a pal.

In emotional testimonies, they mentioned Alves groped them and flirted with the complainant earlier than they described the aftermath of the alleged assault. The courtroom didn’t disclose their names.

“(Alves) had a creepy attitude. I felt tense,” mentioned the pal.

The 40-12 months-outdated former Barcelona defender was arrested in January final 12 months and has since been held on remand.

Alves initially denied any sexual encounter with the girl whom he mentioned he didn’t know. He later mentioned he had consensual intercourse together with her within the restroom of a nightclub, including that he had denied it initially to guard his marriage.

Whether he had pressured or consensual intercourse with the girl lies on the coronary heart of the trial at Barcelona’s Provincial Court.

The public prosecutor within the case accuses Alves of forcing the girl to have intercourse and of not utilizing a condom, and is searching for a 9-12 months jail time period and for Alves to pay damages price 150,000 euros ($163,215) to his alleged sufferer.

The complainant’s cousin mentioned she had not even kissed Alves earlier than leaving the general public space and was not conscious she was getting into a restroom the place the alleged assault occurred when he insisted they transfer to a different space.

After round quarter-hour, Alves left the restroom and a few minutes later the complainant adopted, trying “devastated”, the cousin mentioned.

“She said she needed to go. We left to get our coats from the concierge and before getting there my cousin told me (Alves) had hurt her a lot and had ejaculated inside of her,” the witness mentioned.

Alves, wearing blue denims, a white shirt and darkish jacket, sat impassively on the entrance row of the courtroom through the testimony.

Both witnesses mentioned their pal was initially reluctant to file a grievance due to concern she wouldn’t be believed. She has misplaced lots of weight, can not work and has suffered from nervousness since then, barely leaving her home, they added.

The complainant testified earlier on Monday in a closed doorways session, speaking from behind a display together with her voice distorted to guard her id.

Alves’ trial is one in every of Spain’s highest profile since a 2022 legislation made consent a key think about sexual assault circumstances and elevated minimal jail time for such assaults involving violence.

Alves has gained greater than 40 trophies for Brazil and golf equipment together with Barcelona, Sevilla, Juventus and Paris St Germain. Following his arrest, he was fired by Mexico’s Pumas UNAM.

(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Reuters)