Dani Alves: Fans Divided After Former Barcelona Star Gets Slapped With Prison Sentence

• Dani Alves sentenced to four-and-a-half-year jail sentence
• The ex-Barcelona star was found guilty over sexual assault
• Football fans have been divided following the court's ruling

Opinions among football fans are split following the conviction of former Brazil and Barcelona superstar Dani Alves for sexual abuse.

Alves, a 40-year-old former right-back, has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison after being found guilty of sexual assault.

The ex-footballer was arrested in January 2023 and has been held in detention since then, with bail requests denied due to concerns about him fleeing.

As reported by Sky News, the victim stated that Alves engaged in sexual relations with her in a bathroom without her consent.

Alves slapped with jail sentence

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Catalonia's highest court handed down a verdict on Thursday, February 22, finding the former Brazil international guilty of engaging in sexual activity without consent with a young woman at a prestigious Barcelona nightclub in December 2022.

The court subsequently sentenced Alves to four and a half years in prison for sexual abuse.

Additionally, he was placed on five years of probation following his incarceration and ordered to pay 150,000 euros ($162,000) in compensation to the victim, as cited by the BBC.

How have fans reacted to Alves' sentence?

@Fizzlepunt wrote:

"After hiding for so long in Brazil, he finally gets what he deserves."

@NyKoMR, on the other hand, sympathised with the Brazilian but cautioned men to keep sexual desires in check to avoid landing in such situations.

"Sad story. We need to learn to control our sexual urges as men."

Another user, @BernabeuBard, added:

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"He really fell off so bad man. These guys need to be careful, they need to understand that not everybody will want them, even if they have all the money in the world. That money they have makes them feel untouchable sometimes. I just hope this will be a learning curve for him."

@realJaypee99 quizzed:

"Why do this when you have money?"

@iamzeelee appeared shocked with Alves' sentence:

"Is this fr? Bro is really going behind bars?"

Alves begs wife not to leave him

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that, in addition to facing the challenge of proving his innocence, Alves is now said to be making an attempt to salvage his marriage.

Alves' wife, Joanna Sanz, filed for divorce after the former Paris Saint-Germain defender allegedly confessed to agreeing to have sexual relations with his accuser despite initially denying knowing her.

According to reports from the Spanish TV programme El Programa de Ana Rosa, Alves reached out to Sanz via phone call. The full-back purportedly expressed to his wife that he is unwilling to lose her.