Dani Alves trial for alleged rape gets court date: When will it start?

A Barcelona court has confirmed the official date

The trial against soccer star Dani Alves will begin in February after the 21st section of the Audiencia de Barcelona confirmed when the court will hear the case.

The Brazilian is accused of an alleged rape on December 30, 2022 in a well-known nightclub in Barcelona.

The alleged victim, a 23-year-old woman, has requested through her lawyer for compensation totalling 150,000 on 'physical and psychological' grounds after the rape allegedly occurred in the club.

In addition, the private prosecution requests a 12-year prison sentence for the former Brazil international footballer, who has been in custody since January 20 following his arrest.

For its part, the Prosecutor's Office has agreed on the same economic amount as compensation, but they have not found common ground on the prison sentence. They are asking for nine years and five more years of probation.

Alves' defense team has repeatedly requested parole, but the judicial authorities have denied it on the grounds that there is a clear risk of absconding.

The trial will begin on February 5, 2024 at 10:00 am and will also continue on February 6 and 7, as reported by the 21st section of the Audiencia de Barcelona.

The footballer, 39, has consistently claimed that their relations were consensual. The lawyers of both parties have held talks in recent weeks, but have not reached any agreement.

Ester Garcia, the lawyer representing the alleged victim, has stressed that their respective positions «regarding the extreme seriousness of the facts» were far apart.

The young woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has accused Alves verbal and physical abuse.

«I voluntarily agreed to the bathroom and after giving us a few kisses I tell