Former Brazilian soccer player Dani Alves sparked new controversy by posting a video on TikTok in which he celebrates his recent acquittal by the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC) (Spain, the country where the events took place) in the sexual assault case he was facing.
In the video, Alves appears dancing and showing a jubilant attitude, accompanying the post with the message «Very happy» and the hashtags #acquitted and #thankGod. At the moment, the clip is not available on his social media.
In the background, you can hear in Spanish the verses of a song that is very inappropriate for Alves’ current situation. «They told me they saw you at the club drunk…, » the former soccer player sings the lyrics of ‘Borracha’ (‘Drunk’), a song from 2022 by Felix Klain and Ovy On The Drums.
The reaction on social media has been mixed. While some users express their support for the soccer player and believe that justice has been served, others criticize his attitude, interpreting the video as mocking the complainant and disrespecting victims of sexual assault. Comments such as «I can’t put into words what this video makes me feel» and «With money, you can do anything, it’s quite clear. Someone else in his place would be inside (in prison)» reflect the discontent of part of the audience.
Why Has Dani Alves Been Acquitted of Sexual Assault?
The controversy adds to the debate generated by Alves’ acquittal. The TSJC overturned the initial sentence of four and a half years in prison imposed by the Barcelona Court, arguing that the complainant’s testimony had inconsistencies and was not sufficient to override the footballer’s presumption of innocence.
Dani Alves, flanked by his lawyer Ines Guardiola, leaves Brians 2 prison in San Esteban Sasroviras, near Barcelona, on March 25, 2024. Ex-Brazil star was previously sentenced to 4.5 years in jail for rape on February 22, 2024. LLUIS GENE / AFP
Additionally, Spanish associations of judges and prosecutors have called for respect for judicial independence and urged public representatives to refrain from making comments that could undermine confidence in the judicial system.
Dani Alves’ post on TikTok adds a new dimension to the controversy, fueling the debate on sensitivity and respect for victims in cases of sexual assault, as well as the public responsibility of media figures when communicating about sensitive judicial matters.
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