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Prosecutors in Spain are seeking a nine-year prison sentence for former Brazilian soccer star Dani Alves, who is accused of raping a young woman in a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022.
Prosecutors have also ordered that the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain full-back pay his claimed victim 150,000 euros ($163,500) in compensation, according to a copy of his indictment seen by AFP on Thursday.
His trial date had not yet been established. The 40-year-old has claimed that he and his accuser had consensual sex.
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"I have a really clear conscience regarding what happened that night in the bathroom of the VIP area of the Sutton nightclub," he told the Barcelona-based newspaper La Vanguardia in his first interview since his arrest in June.
"What occurred and what did not occur." And what didn't happen was that I compelled this woman to do anything," he added.
However, when the story first emerged – and before he was detained – Alves denied knowing the woman who filed a police complaint against him on January 2.
"I was dancing and having a good time without invading anyone's space," he explained to Spanish television station Antena 3.
"I'm not sure who this lady is. How could I do such a thing to a woman? No."
Alves told La Vanguardia that he initially lied because he was worried his wife would leave him if he admitted to having an affair.
The indictment describes in detail what happened at the upmarket Sutton nightclub, according to authorities.
Following their encounter at the venue, Alves urged the woman to enter a small enclosure she had no idea was a bathroom.
Once inside, the footballer displayed a "violent attitude" towards the woman, forcing her to have intercourse despite her objections.
According to Spain's sexual consent law, which was established last year, the charge of sexual assault encompasses a wide range of crimes, from online abuse and groping to rape, each with a separate potential sentence. Rape can result in a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
Alves was on vacation in Barcelona after playing for Brazil in the World Cup in Qatar at the time of the incident.
After his arrest, alves was fired by his Mexican club, Pumas UNAM.
Alves won 42 trophies during his illustrious career, including three Champions Leagues with Barcelona and two Copa Americas with Brazil.
He made history as the oldest player representing Brazil at the World Cup finals in Qatar last year.
