Brazilian forward Neymar has been criticised for his supposed “absurd” involvement in the Dani Alves sexual assault case after the latter was given a four-and-a-half-year jail sentence.
Alves, 40, was convicted of raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub, receiving a four and a half-year jail sentence after being found guilty of the charges. Neymar was alleged to have paid a sum of €150,000 (£129,000/$164,000) in damages to the victim, a gesture of support to his friend and former Barcelona teammate.
This act did not sit well with former Chief of Staff of Brazil, Gleisi Hoffman, as she attacked Neymar, labelling it ‘absurd’.
Hoffman said via Football Espana: “The conviction of the rapist Daniel Alves is pedagogical and exemplary, it shows that society no longer tolerates sexist and misogynistic behaviour. The absurd thing was that he borrowed money from Neymar, paid the compensation, and reduced the sentence, something that does not solve anything for the victim, it does not erase their suffering.”
Alves is likely to appeal this verdict, so a response to that will happen in due course. Incidentally, a rape claim in Spain is being investigated under the accusation of sexual assault, and convictions may range from four to 15 years in prison.
Neymar and Alves as team mates
Alves and Neymar were part of the 2015 Barcelona squad that won the UEFA Champions League and La Liga, amongst other trophies, under then-coach Luis Enrique. They also both played for Paris Saint Germain and the Brazilian national team.
