Dani Alves PLEADS to be released from prison as he awaits final sentence

Former Brazil and Barcelona footballer Dani Alves has pleaded to be released from prison pending his final sentence for raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub.

Alves, 40, who was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison last month, told a hearing on Tuesday morning: 'I believe in justice. I'm not going to run away.'

His request to be released from the Brians 2 Prison near Barcelona, where he has been held since January last year, has been opposed by the prosecutor's office in Spain.

They argue there remains a flight risk given Alves' wealth and the high penalty imposed, Marca reported.

Alves, appearing via video link from prison, assured the court he plans to 'get to the end' of the case because he 'believes in justice.'

Alves plans to appeal the sentence he received last month. A decision over whether to release Alves until his final sentence is confirmed will be made shortly by the court.

Alves, one of the most decorated footballers in history, had denied sexually assaulting the woman in the early hours of December 31, 2022.

He claimed he had consensual sex in a toilet at upmarket Barcelona nightclub Sutton with his 23-year-old female accuser.

The woman insisted the footballer had forced himself on her after hitting her when she gave evidence in court.

State prosecutors had pushed for a nine-year jail term and a lawyer acting for his victim had demanded 12 years behind bars if convicted.

The three trial judges confirmed in a 61-page written ruling released after Alves learned his sentence in a behind-closed-doors hearing last month they had taken into account as a 'mitigating factor' his pre-payment of the £128,000 (€150,000) he was ordered to give his victim as compensation.

They concluded she had danced with Alves before