Small detail that may be crucial in Dani Alves rape case as ex-Barcelona star held in jail over club toilet ‘assault’
BRAZIL star Dani Alves’ tattoos could prove crucial as he faces allegations he raped a woman in a nightclub toilet, reports say.
The alleged victim is said to have told a judge she saw a crescent-shaped inking on his lower abdomen as he forced himself on her in a cubicle.
Her detailed description of the tattoo prompted ex-Barcelona defender Alves, 39, to change his account as he was quizzed by a magistrate on Friday, reports El Mundo.
A Barcelona court heard the tatt stretches from his belly “to his genital area”, the respected newspaper said.
Alves initially denied any contact with the woman, according to reports in Spain.
Asked about the tattoo in court, he testified he was “sitting on the toilet bowl, and she had entered and pounced on him”.
The judge is said to have asked how it would have been possible for her to see the tattoo, which would be covered by his shirt while sitting down.
Alves then reportedly said he “he got up when she entered and that is why she could see the tattoo that is usually covered by clothing, since it goes down from the abdomen to the genital area”.
Later in the evidence session, the footballer reportedly told the magistrate he had consensual sex with the woman.
His changing version of events was key to the decision to remand him in custody, El Mundo reports.
Other contradictions highlighted by the judge include a ten-fold error in declaring his income, reports claim.
He reportedly said he was paid 30,000 euros a month by Mexican club the Pumas – but it was really 300,000.
Alves was held in a jail outside Barcelona over the weekend then transferred to a second jail housing those accused of offences.
Today it emerged he had sacked his lawyer and hired a hotshot legal expert instead.
The new attorney is expected to launch a fresh appeal for bail, offering to surrender his passport so he remains in Spain.
Alves has reportedly confirmed in his police statement he did visit the Sutton nightclub on December 30.
It came after CCTV footage published by Spanish media was said to show him and the alleged victim in a VIP area and then going to the toilet for 47 seconds.
New details from her behind-closed-doors evidence to the investigating judge were published in Spain yesterday.
She said after the alleged attack she was too scared to leave the toilet for several minutes.
When she finally opened the door the footballer and his companions had left the venue.
She reportedly burst in tears and was comforted by her friends.
They then told club bouncers she had been raped, and they engaged their protocol for sexual assaults, it is said.
The woman was taken to hospital and later to a police station.
Her dress from that night was being analysed for DNA evidence by the Mossos d’Esquadra police, El Mundo reports.
Earlier we told how Alves’ arrest came as a double blow to his heartbroken wife Joana Sanz after her mum died days earlier.
She said: “I have lost the only two pillars in my life.”