Alves played alongside Neymar for many years at Barca, the Brazilian national team, and briefly at PSG. While awaiting trial last year, Alves asked his former teammate for help when he was in financial trouble.
On April 11, Alves' lawyer, Ines Guardiola, confirmed to AFP that her client had paid $164,000 to Neymar's father, Neymar da Silva Santos. Ms. Guardiola did not disclose any further information about the payment method or the possibility of a debt balance existing between the two parties.
Alves (middle) and lawyer Guardiola in Barcelona. Photo: Icon Sport
On February 22, Alves was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison for raping a 23-year-old woman at a nightclub in Barcelona in late 2022. In addition, the former Barca and PSG defender was also placed under legal supervision for an additional 5 years and must comply with a ban on contact with the victim for 9 years and 6 months.
On March 20, the Spanish Court of Appeal granted Alves’ request to be released on bail pending sentencing. In addition to having to pay a bail of $1.1 million, the former Barca defender had his passport confiscated, must report to the police weekly, and is prohibited from contacting or traveling within 1 km of the accuser.
Bail payments must be made anonymous, according to Spanish government regulations, putting anyone who helps Alves at risk of reputational damage.
Neymar and Alves (left) when they were still playing for Barca. Photo: FC Barcelona
Former Barca teammate Memphis Depay was later reported to have paid Alves' bail. But Depay's agent, Sebastien Ledure, denied the reports.
According to Spanish journalist Marisa Martin Blazquez, a prominent Brazilian magazine agreed to bail Alves out in exchange for an interview. The deal came with a number of conditions, including that the interview be filmed as a documentary, and that Alves' wife, Joana Sanz, would also be involved.
The victim's legal team appealed against Alves' release on bail. But earlier this week a Barcelona court rejected the appeal.
Alves’ lawyers are asking for their client to be acquitted. Prosecutors are seeking a nine-year sentence, while the victim’s attorney is asking for 12 years. No date has been set for the appeal hearing, but Alves could face a lengthy legal journey that could stretch into early 2025.
Hong Duy
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