Dani Alves` wife, Joana Sanz, has spoken out about the emotional toll she endured after her husband`s rape conviction was overturned.
The model, originally from Tenerife, used social media to voice her frustration with online trolls who targeted her. She urged them to stop directing their animosity towards people they do not personally know. This strong message came shortly after the news broke that the former Barcelona player`s conviction had been reversed.
Four judges from the Catalan High Court, in a 101-page ruling released on Friday, explained their decision to overturn Alves’s conviction and four-and-a-half-year prison sentence. The sentence was for raping a woman in a VIP bathroom of Barcelona’s Sutton nightclub in the early hours of December 31, 2022. The judges stated, “It cannot be concluded that the standards required by the presumption of innocence have been met.”
The court also described the woman who accused Alves as an “unreliable complainant,” citing video evidence and inconsistencies in her testimony.
Alves`s accuser is planning a final appeal to Spain’s Supreme Court. Her lawyer had previously sought a 12-year prison sentence for Alves.
The 41-year-old former Brazil international has already spent 14 months in jail before being released on bail pending his appeal.
Despite the upcoming appeal, Joana Sanz decided to publicly address the criticism she has faced for supporting her husband.
She had initially considered divorce after his arrest in January 2023, but gave him a second chance. Two months prior, she shared a photo of them holding hands in a car, next to a bouquet of flowers, suggesting reconciliation.
In her Instagram post, accompanied by a selfie where she is smiling with her eyes closed, Joana wrote: “For two years, I have been singled out, insulted, threatened, and persecuted. It felt as if I were the one in the dock.”
“Despite the significant damage to my reputation and public image, I remain standing. I continue to work, contrary to what many wished. I am faithful to my beliefs and defend what I believe is right, without being swayed by others.”
Addressing online trolls and critics directly, she added: “I urge you to stop directing your hatred at people you know nothing about.”
“Educate yourselves and get informed so you don`t have to regret your words, which can sometimes be poisonous.”
She ended her message with the sarcastic phrase, “Feliz vida,” which translates from Spanish to “Happy life” in English.
In April of the previous year, the couple was seen holding hands, marking their first public appearance together since Alves’s trial.
They also took advantage of the sunny day to dine at a high-end restaurant in Barcelona and go shopping.
Shortly after Alves’s arrest, Sanz had announced she was seeking a divorce after he admitted to having sexual relations with the woman who accused him, a key point in his trial at Barcelona’s Audiencia Provincial Court.
She later indicated that the divorce was on hold and testified in support of Alves during his trial from February 5 to 7 of the previous year.
To be released on bail while appealing his conviction, Alves had to pay £850,000 and surrender his Spanish and Brazilian passports after being released from a Barcelona prison.
On his first night of release, he ordered takeaway hamburgers.
Following the appeal court`s decision to acquit him, fans of Joana and Dani Alves expressed their support online.
One supporter commented: “The truth always prevails, we love you Dani.”
Another added: “Who will compensate for all the suffering you have endured? Make sure you enjoy the rest of your lives.”
However, Spain`s former Equality Minister Irene Montero, now a Member of the European Parliament for the hard-left Podemos party, criticized the appeal court judges, accusing them of administering “patriarchal justice.”
