A high-profile case in Barcelona centers on the former FC Barcelona player facing allegations of sexual assault involving a 23-year-old woman at Sutton nightclub in the Catalan capital. The hearing is scheduled to take place over three days in early February. The charges stem from events starting on the night of December 30, 2022, through the early hours of December 31, 2022. The matter is overseen by the Barcelona court system, and the defendant’s romantic partner has reportedly visited him in prison on several occasions. While the player has indicated plans to end the relationship and has sought legal advice about divorce, formal procedural steps have not yet begun.
The defense has urged the defendant to testify at the hearing. He is expected to be among around thirty witnesses who will provide statements across the three days of trial. Prosecutors have requested a prison sentence of nine years for the alleged sexual assault and rape by penetration. An independent review conducted on behalf of the victim seeks the maximum penalty of twelve years. The defendant’s lawyer, Inés Guardiola, maintains the client’s innocence and has suggested that acquittal could be possible with the right arguments, although some sources point to a defense strategy that aims to seek dismissal on multiple grounds.
The opening day, February 5, will cover preliminary matters. It is anticipated that the defense will raise several issues, and a decision on whether the defendant will testify on the first or final day of the hearing is usually made during this phase. The roster of witnesses includes the victim, her cousin, a friend who accompanied her to the nightclub, and the investigating police officer. The proceedings also reference the victim’s mother.
at the disco
The sequence of events traces back to December 30 when the individuals traveled to Barcelona. A plan to dine together was followed by a visit to Sutton nightclub on Tuset Street, with the Moët booth chosen for the evening. This area affords access to a suite that features a large sofa, a television, and a minibar, connected by a short corridor where a small bathroom sits.
The victim arrived at the venue around two in the morning with a cousin and a friend. They moved into the main room and then joined the reserved space. The defendant, a frequent patron at the venue, invited the group to share a drink, although they initially declined. At that time, the victim did not know the defendant.
Protocol activation
The group danced and spoke for a period before the attention of the defendant shifted toward the victim. He allegedly grabbed her hand and touched her in ways she did not welcome on more than one occasion, prompting her to push his hand away. A short time later, Alves moved toward a doorway that led to the connecting corridor and entered the space beyond.
In that moment he signaled for the young woman to join him, and believing it to be another VIP area she followed. Instead she found herself in a compact bathroom where the door was closed. She asked to be removed, according to her account. The man is accused of grabbing her waist, lifting her up, and engaging in contact she resisted by slapping him. After continuing to resist, the athlete reportedly lifted her off the floor, engaged in an assault in a position over the toilet, and maintained contact against her will. After informing nightclub staff, the venue activated its protocol for handling sexual assaults.