Revealed: Neymar sent former Barcelona team-mate Dani Alves €150,000 to assist in defence of sexual assault charges

Neymar reportedly aided former Barcelona team-mate Dani Alves in his sexual assault case by sending him €150,000 (£129,000/$164,000) for court fees.

• According to Brazilian outlet UOL, the ex-defender turned to his former international and club team-mate due to being stranded in Barcelona, where he is awaiting trial. Neymar reportedly transferred €150,000 to the Spanish courts back on August 9 in a payment for “mitigating compensation for damage caused”. It is thought that this amount may reduce Alves’ sentence in case of conviction.

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  The former Brazil international is accused of sexually assaulting a 23-year-old woman in a Barcelona nightclub in December 2021, an act which he claims was consensual. UOL notes that Neymar’s intervention was needed as Alves’ assets have been frozen following his divorce from ex-wife Dinorah Santana. She is now suing the former right-back for non-payment of alimony.

  • The connection with Neymar wasn’t just limited to monetary payments. Around the same time as the transfer, on June 28, UOL reports that Alves appointed Gustavo Xisto, one the oldest representatives of Neymar’s father’s companies, as his attorney-in-fact. The same day as Xisto’s appointment, the report notes, Alves removed Santana from managing his assets.

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    Alves’ trial is scheduled for February 5-7, where he could face a potential sentence of four to 15 years if found guilty. Per Reuters, a Spanish prosecutor is seeking a nine-year prison term, now the €150,000 in damages has been paid. The 40-year-old could also receive a restraining order after his jail term.