BARCELONA: A Spanish court on Thursday sentenced former Brazil international Dani Alves to four and a half years in prison after finding him guilty of raping a young woman at a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022.
It also ordered the three-time Champions League winner to five years’ probation after he serves his jail term, and demanded he pay 150,000 euros ($162,000) in compensation to the victim.
“The victim did not consent and there is evidence that, beyond the complainant’s testimony, permits the rape to be considered proven,” the Barcelona court wrote in a statement.
“The court considers as proven the fact that the defendant abruptly grabbed the complainant, threw her to the ground and penetrated her vaginally, preventing her from moving, while the complainant said no and wanted to leave.”
Prosecutors had called for a nine-year jail sentence for the 40-year-old followed by 10 years of probation.
Alves, who maintains the sex with the woman was consensual, will appeal the ruling, his lawyer told reporters outside the court.
One of the world’s most decorated footballers who played for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain during a storied career, Alves went on trial earlier this month on charges of raping a woman at the Sutton nightclub in the early hours of December 31, 2022.
His accuser — who testified behind a screen to protect her identity — said Alves had violently forced her to have sex in a private bathroom of the nightclub despite her begging him to let her go, causing her “anguish and terror,” according to prosecutors.
Police officers who attended the woman told the court about the victim’s state of agitation and “shock” when they arrived at the nightclub, as well as her anxiety that “nobody would believe her” if she filed a complaint.
During the trial, his defense focused on trying to show that Alves was drunk when he met the woman.
Alves, who was present in court throughout his three-day trial, testified that his sexual encounter with the woman was consensual and denied hitting her and grabbing her hair.
“I am not that type of man, I am not violent,” he told the court after his defense lawyer asked if he had forced her to have sex.
“If she wanted to leave, she could have left, she was not obligated to be there,” he added.
But the court ruled that the injuries found on the victim’s knees were “the result of the violence used by Mr. Alves,” and said her testimony had been “consistent” throughout the proceedings.
Spain’s leftist government in 2022 passed new legislation — dubbed the “only yes means yes” law — that strengthens the country’s penal code against rape by requiring explicit consent for sex acts, a move long demanded by assault survivors and women’s rights groups.
The player’s defense had argued that the young woman had danced “glued” to him at the nightclub, and there was “sexual tension” between the two.
But the court ruled that “these attitudes... do not mean giving ‘carte blanche’ to... a subsequent aggression.”
Alves initially denied knowing the woman in a TV interview but later acknowledged having sex with her, saying it was consensual.
He told La Vanguardia newspaper in June that he had lied because he was afraid his wife would leave him.
The player has been in detention since he was arrested in Barcelona in January 2023. His requests to be released on bail have been repeatedly denied by the courts which considered him a flight risk.
Brazil does not extradite its own citizens when they are sentenced in other countries.
Alves is widely considered one of the greatest defenders of all time, winning 42 trophies during a highly successful career.
The peak of his career was with Barcelona between 2008 and 2016 when he won 23 trophies. At the time of his arrest, he was contracted to Mexican club Pumas UNAM. He was sacked soon after being detained.
Ex-Brazil star Dani Alves sentenced to 4.5 years in jail for rape
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Ex-Brazil star Dani Alves sentenced to 4.5 years in jail for rape

- It also ordered the three-time Champions League winner to five years’ probation after he serves his jail term
- “The victim did not consent and there is evidence that, beyond the complainant’s testimony, permits the rape to be considered proven,” the Barcelona court wrote in a statement
US-based group completes Rangers takeover

- The consortium of investors, led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises, purchased a majority 51 percent stake in the Glasgow team
- Rangers said the Scottish Football Association approved the deal late on Thursday night
GLASGOW: A United States-based group completed their takeover of Scottish Premiership club Rangers on Friday and immediately pledged to make a £20 million ($26 million) investment in new signings.
The consortium of investors, led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises, purchased a majority 51 percent stake in the Glasgow team.
Funding for the close-season signings will come in the form of a new share issue, subject to shareholder approval at a general meeting on June 23.
Healthcare executive Cavenagh is Rangers’ new chairman, while Paraag Marathe, who is chairman of Premier League side Leeds United and the president of 49ers Enterprises, becomes the vice-chairman.
Rangers said the Scottish Football Association approved the deal late on Thursday night after the club sought consent over dual ownership issues.
Sports investment firm 49ers Enterprises also owns a majority stake in Leeds, who won promotion from the Championship this season.
The deal will allow Rangers to step up their recruitment of a new manager.
Real Madrid’s departing assistant manager Davide Ancelotti and former Southampton boss Russell Martin are among the leading contenders for the job following the departure of interim boss Barry Ferguson.
“We are deeply grateful for the trust placed in us by the Rangers board, shareholders, staff, and supporters,” Cavenagh said.
“This club’s history and traditions speak for themselves, but history doesn’t win matches.
“We know that the true way to honor the club’s heritage will be to drive performance.
“Our focus is simple: elevate performance, deliver results, and bring Rangers back to where it belongs — at the top.”
Rangers finished second in the Scottish Premier League this season, trailing 17 points behind Old Firm rivals Celtic, and failed to win a trophy.
Rangers haven’t won the Scottish title since 2021, with Celtic lifting the trophy 13 times in the last 14 seasons.
Ending Celtic’s dominance will be the top priority for Rangers’ new owners.
Marathe added: “At 49ers Enterprises, we have built a track record of sporting and business success, but our driving motivation is our deep connection to the clubs and communities we serve.”
Marta returns to Brazil’s national team for friendly matches against Japan

- Better known just by her first name, Marta Vieira da Silva has scored a record 119 goals for Brazil
- Tarciane: She’s a very important person for our group, for the other girls who are just arriving
SAO PAULO: Marta is back.
The six-time world player of the year has returned to Brazil’s national team for friendlies against Japan on Friday and Monday in Sao Paulo. While it remains to be seen whether she’ll play, her inclusion on the roster suggests she may not be ready to retire just yet.
The 39-year-old announced last year that she would step down from the national team following the Paris Olympics. The Brazilians went on to win the silver medal after a 1-0 loss in the final to the US.
She has continued to play for her club team, the Orlando Pride in the National Women’s Soccer League. Last season, Marta scored 11 goals with the Pride, who won the NWSL title. She re-signed with the team through 2026 earlier this year.
“Marta has had a great season and has been very important for her club, which is the league champion,” Brazil coach Arthur Elias told reporters when he announced the roster. “Her presence in some callups is very important for the younger players, for the renewal that is taking place in the national team.”
The matches against Japan are important for Brazil to prepare for the Copa America, which opens in July in Ecuador. Brazil are the defending champion.
“She’s a very important person for our group, for the other girls who are just arriving. I’ve already told her to retire when she’s about 45, around there. As long as she’s well, I’ll be encouraging her to continue with us,” Brazil defender Tarciane said in a press conference ahead of the matches against Japan. “And there’s no way we can be without Marta. I can’t see the national team now without Marta, because we need her, we need everything she’s experienced in women’s football, and she needs to live this moment too.”
Marta has played in 185 matches for Brazil. In her last, in the Olympic final, she was emotional as she came off the field. She insisted her tears were not because of the loss or her retirement, but because of pride for having medaled.
“I am crying out of gratitude, happiness. I am not crying because we won silver. Look at how much we had to overcome to win this silver,” she said.
Better known just by her first name, Marta Vieira da Silva has scored a record 119 goals for Brazil.
She was just 17 when she appeared at the 2003 World Cup, held in the US. She has the career record for most World Cup goals with 17, and she has 13 Olympic goals, one shy of compatriot Cristiane’s record.
Brazil is hosting the 2027 Women’s World Cup, leading to some speculation that she might try to play in the game’s biggest tournament on home soil. She has said in the past that she’s willing to help Brazil in any way possible.
“Having this opportunity to share a dressing room with Marta, not only for the national team but also for the club, is a privilege,” midfielder Angelina said after training on Wednesday. “You never imagine that you will be sharing a dressing room with your idol.”
Saudi national football team prepare for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers

- Herve Renard supervised the training, which was held at Al-Ettifaq Club Stadium
- Defender Ali Majrashi returned to full training with the squad after recovering from injury
RIYADH: The Saudi national football team trained on Thursday evening at their preparatory camp in Al-Khobar, as part of the build-up for their crucial ninth and tenth rounds of the AFC qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
French coach Herve Renard supervised the training, which was held at Al-Ettifaq Club Stadium, a media statement said.
The training session began with warm-up training followed by tactical exercises and a half-field game, before it concluded with stretching routines aimed at muscle recovery and injury prevention.
In a positive development, defender Ali Majrashi returned to full training with the squad after recovering from a recent injury. Muteb Al-Harbi and Mohammed Bakr continued their individual rehabilitation programs under the supervision of the medical team.
The Green Falcons will resume their preparation on Friday afternoon with a closed-door training match against the Jordanian national team, also scheduled to take place at Al-Ettifaq Club Stadium.
Argentine court declares a mistrial in the case over the death of football star Maradona

- The whiplash decision comes after one of the three judges overseeing the trial stepped down
- The judges turned the clock back on all proceedings
BUENOS AIRES: An Argentine court on Thursday declared a mistrial in the case of seven health professionals accused of negligence in the death of football legend Diego Maradona, the latest dramatic twist in a trial that has captivated the nation and the football world for more than two months.
The whiplash decision comes after one of the three judges overseeing the trial stepped down over criticism surrounding her participation in a forthcoming documentary about the case.
Her withdrawal compelled the court to either appoint a new judge in her place or to retry the entire case from scratch.
On Thursday, the judges decided the latter, effectively turning the clock back on all proceedings in the case that accuses Maradona’s medical team of failing to provide adequate care for the football star in his final days.
Bayern sign Germany defender Tah until 2029

- “I want to take on responsibility here and work hard every day so that we’re successful as a team,” Tah said
- “In Jonathan Tah we’ve acquired a player with international experience and quality,” said sporting director Christoph Freund
MUNICH: Bayern Munich have signed German international defender Jonathan Tah on a free transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, the Bundesliga champions announced on Thursday.
The 29-year-old has signed a four-year deal which will keep him in Munich until 2029.
“I’m very happy to be at Bayern. I want to take on responsibility here and work hard every day so that we’re successful as a team and win lots of trophies together,” Tah said in the club statement.
Tah spent a decade at Leverkusen, winning an unbeaten league and cup double in 2023-24. He told Leverkusen he would not be extending his contract beyond 2025 and was given a big farewell at his last home game in May.
Bayern were linked with signing Tah in the summer of 2024 with one year remaining on his contract, but the Bavarians refused to meet Leverkusen’s asking price.
Bayern needed to sign a center-back after Eric Dier departed for Ligue 1 side Monaco at the end of the season.
“In Jonathan Tah we’ve acquired a player with international experience and quality, who won’t need much time to establish himself in our defense,” said sporting director Christoph Freund.
“He’ll be a good and important addition for us with his technical qualities as well as his manner and the way he leads.”
The Hamburg-born defender, who was also linked with a move to Barcelona where he would have joined former Germany coach Hansi Flick, has played 35 games for the national team since making his debut in 2016.
Tah has since established himself at the heart of the Germany defense. He has started all but one of the international games for which he was available since September 2023.
He is a member of Julian Nagelsmann’s squad to play in the Nations League finals next month.
The hosts face Portugal in the semifinals in Munich on June 4 with the winner taking on either
France or Spain in the final at the Bayern home ground three days later.
Bayern also tried to sign Tah’s club teammate Florian Wirtz but the midfielder now appears likely to move to Liverpool after Leverkusen admitted this week that there is “concrete interest” from the Premier League winners.