Author: Soorya G
Robust Brazilian soccer player Dani Alves has made a statement about his ongoing legal battle against a sexual harassment lawsuit, insisting that he is innocent. The statement was Alves’ first public reaction since the process was opened in December 2022, just after the FIFA World Cup. Alves added that he didn’t know why the complainant would file what he calls a “false complaint”, and even said that he “forgave” her. Alves admitted that he was unfaithful to his wife, but that the betrayal did not occur without the consent of the woman who has now started legal proceedings against him.
“I still don’t know why she did it, but I forgive her. And I’d like to apologize to the only person I owe an apology to, which is my wife, Joana Sanz” said Alves.
Alves confirmed having had extramarital relations with the complainant, but pleaded not guilty to the allegations made against him. He also offered a description of the night of the alleged incident.
“At that moment, if someone in charge of the nightclub had asked me to wait because a young woman claimed that I had sexually assaulted her, I wouldn’t have gone home. That same evening, I would have gone to the police station to clarify what had happened. Nobody said anything to me there. I left Sutton calmly. I got home. I took a shower because my wife was already asleep and I was ashamed of my infidelity. I lathered up angrily. I went to sleep in another bed” he added.
Alves has been in judicial custody for some time and, despite repeated requests for bail, the Spanish courts have denied his appeals. The court opined that, despite the fact that Alves could well be innocent, there was a serious threat that he would flee the country. The court denied bail even when the Brazilian’s lawyer offered to hand over his passports.