Dani Alves’ ex-wife Joana Sanz shares first pic with disgraced Barcelona star since prison release after rape conviction
DANI Alves’ ex-wife has shared a pic with the disgraced Barcelona star for the first time since he was released from prison.
The shamed footballer, who was jailed for raping a woman in a Spanish nightclub, walked free last week after appealing his four-and-a-half-year sentence.
Alves was released after serving just four weeks of his conviction as he coughed up €1million (£850,000) for bail.
Just hours after the disgraced star was released he hosted an all-night party at his £4.5m mansion.
Soon after Alves returned home, a bouquet of flowers was delivered to the address.
Rumours swirled the bouquet could have been a gift for his estranged wife Joana Sanz, 31.
On Saturday, Spanish media reported the supermodel had already paid Alves a visit.
Within 24 hours of his release, Joana deactivated her Instagram account.
Her Instagram profile is now back up and running, but she no longer follows Alves and has wiped her account of all pictures of him.
But now Joana has posted a photo of Alves, who is one of the world’s most decorated footballers who played for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, to her story.
She snapped a photo of the pair holding hands in the sunshine, with what appeared to be matching 1+1=1 tattoos.
Alves’ distinctive hand ink is on display, too.
The disgraced star was accused of raping a woman in a nightclub in Barcelona in December, 2022.
The ex-Barcelona star saw his life unravel after he was arrested by Catalan police in January 2023 – and kept behind bars until he appealed his sentence.
In court the victim claimed Alves was aggressive with her, slapping her and insulting her, and then forced her to have sex with him.
In a trial held last month, the footballer denied the allegations and said the encounter had been consensual.
He was found guilty of the sex attack on Feburary 2022, but walked free on Monday March 25 after appealing the conviction.
Despite winning the fight to serve his sentence from the comfort of his own home, Alves will still need to appear at court once a week.
He was also required to hand in his Spanish and Brazilian passports, so he cannot flee Spain.
Rumours are swirling about how the former footballer managed to find the funds necessary to secure his bail.
Some say his former teammates could have put the money together.
It was also alleged that Alves called on Neymar‘s father to pay his bail.
WHAT HAPPENED?
BRAZILIAN international footballer Dani Alves was accused of raping a woman in a nightclub in Barcelona on December 30, 2022.
In a trial held in Barcelona in February 2024, the footballer denied the allegations and said the encounter had been consensual.
Held at Barcelona’s Audiencia Provincial Court, the trial lasted three days and saw the victim, witnesses, and experts testify.
His accuser told the prosecution that she had willingly entered the bathroom with him, but that he forced her to stay after she wanted to leave.
In court she claimed that he was aggressive with her, slapping her and insulting her, and then forced her to have sex with him.
Following the trial, Alves was found guilty of raping the woman.
He was convicted on February 22 and sentenced to four and a half years in prison.
The court also ordered Alves to pay £130K (150,000 euros) in compensation to the victim.
The court said in a statement: “The sentence considers that it has been proven that the victim did not consent and that there is evidence, in addition to the testimony of the plaintiff, to consider the rape proven.”
He had previously been held in pre-trial detention since his arrest on January 20, 2023.
Alves’ lawyers immediately appealed his sentence.
On March 20, 2024 – a Barcelona court released Alves on a bail of €1million (£850k) pending an appeal on his conviction.
His defense is seeking his acquittal while the prosecutor wants his prison sentence increased to nine years.
There is no date yet for the new trial at a higher court in Barcelona. It can then go to the Supreme Court in Madrid.