Former FC Barcelona star and current Pumas player Daniel Alves was remanded in custody this Friday. He will remain in prison while his defense appeals the precautionary detention. The decision to keep him detained was issued by a investigating judge, who accepted the requests from both the prosecution and the police to order pretrial detention due to concerns about flight risk and potential interference with witnesses or evidence. The judge also noted a credible case tied to a serious rape accusation involving a 23-year-old woman, linked to events at the Sutton nightclub during the early hours of December 30–31. Details gathered by El Periódico de Catalunya, part of the Prensa Ibérica group, outline the facts learned so far.
Judge sends Dani Alves to jail for prior rape
Guillem Sanchez
Unloading the incident into the record, the Central Unit for Sexual Aggressions (UCAS), a team of investigators within Mossos d’Esquadra, has begun assessing the woman’s account. The description places Alves in a VIP area bathroom, where an assault allegedly occurred after being escorted by the accused. The account is being weighed against physical and documentary evidence to determine credibility as the case progresses.
victim statement
UCAS researchers assess the victim’s narrative while continuing the investigation. Early material indicates the complainant’s recollection of a forceful encounter that took place in a bathroom area not covered by surveillance cameras. The early statements are being weighed against other testimonies and the records gathered from the nightclub premises.
Health report
The complainant received medical attention at the Hospital Clinic after being alerted by staff at the Sutton nightclub. A routine medical examination was conducted, and the report notes injuries that are consistent with a violent incident. Biological samples were collected for future testing to determine whether they match later findings. The hospital documents also reference the initial medical assessment and the care provided at the time.
Dress
Two days after filing the complaint, the woman presented her health report and handed over the clothing she wore that night. UCAS investigators from a unit that is predominantly female for a substantial period have begun to analyze the case based on these physical items as part of the evidence collection process.
cameras
Security footage from Sutton’s surveillance system formed part of the initial checks carried out by UCAS. According to the complainant, Alves insisted on following her through a door she did not recognize, which led toward an area where cameras were absent. The available records do not contradict this sequence of events, according to the sources close to the investigation.
Alves’ video
A week after the incident, Alves released a video through a television program, in which he suggested that he might have entered the bathroom by chance and encountered the victim. The video sparked discussion about consistency with statements made during the investigation and later testimony. Prosecutors and defense teams will weigh these statements against the documentary and testimonial evidence when determining the outcome of the case.
witnesses
The UCAS report to the judge includes security camera captures and the versions put forward by Alves and those who were with the victim. The complainant was accompanied by a friend, while Alves had a companion with him and the two friends of the victim were also present. The report also notes statements from a waiter who allegedly assisted in guiding the group toward a VIP area, as requested by Alves and his associate.
biological samples
In sexual assault cases, the hospital visit is crucial. The procedure, conducted at the Hospital Clinic in Barcelona, involves collecting biological samples that may reveal DNA traces from the attacker. The victim was careful to avoid altering clothing or cleaning herself before the examination, understanding the importance of preserving evidence. If the biological samples align with Alves on genetic testing, it would corroborate certain aspects of the victim’s account and challenge any public statements that may have diverged from those results.
As the investigation unfolds, prosecutors emphasize the seriousness of the allegations and the need to establish a clear and accurate timeline of events. The defense, meanwhile, remains focused on disputing the claims and presenting alternative explanations for the sequence of events at the nightclub. The case continues to be analyzed through the lens of legal standards for sexual assault, witness credibility, and the reliability of physical evidence.