Neymar set to pay €1 million to free in-jail former Barcelona defender – report

Former Barcelona defender Dani Alves was convicted of sexual assault earlier this month, with the prison sentence set at four-and-a-half years, of which he has already served over a year.

Over the course of the trial, Alves changed his story five times, initially refusing to admit that he ever had sex with the victim. Later, he claimed he did, but lied to hide the adultery from his wife.

The prosecutor were initially pushing for a nine-year sentence, claiming that 4.5 years was not enough given the nature of the crime, and Spain’s new consent legislation after a gang-rape case in 2022.

Alves’ lawyer fought the ruling, and the player has been released on bail pending a final resolution.

And as it turns out, the €1 million bail sum will be paid by none other than Neymar Jr’s father, as per a report from LaVanguardia.

Why was the bail issued?

This decision from the Spanish court came after Alves was judged to be a no-flight risk, and incapable of destroying evidence. He had also been issued a 1,000-metre restraining order from his victim.

Naturally, though, the victim’s lawyer, Ester Garcia, expressed her understandable disgust about the bail judgement.

“I am really dissatisfied with this decision. We will file an appeal because we believe it is not in accordance with the law,” she said, as quoted by ESPN.

“Justice is being done for the rich. It is scandalous that they free someone because they can get €1 million in no time.”

Alves and Neymar

Neymar and Alves played together for Barcelona for three seasons stretching from 2013/14 to 2015/16 before the later eventually decided it was time to call it quits on his tenure in Spain, before eventually leaving for Juventus.

The two reunited at PSG, though, for two seasons, when both of them joined the French capital outfit in 2017.

Barcelona had revoked Alves’ status as a ‘club legend’ on their website following his conviction, too.