A Spanish court docket on Friday ordered Brazil defender Dani Alves to be held in custody with out bail after he was arrested in Barcelona on allegations he sexually assaulted a lady.

A Barcelona choose took the step after questioning the 39-year-old participant concerning “occasions that allegedly befell at a nightclub,” the court said in a statement.

A source close to the dossier said the judge had taken the step — which was requested by public prosecutors — because the court considered there was a risk Alves would try to flee.

His club, Mexico’s Pumas, announced hours later that it had sacked the player because of what it called “just cause.”

Alves, one in all soccer’s most profitable gamers, was taken into custody earlier on Friday after being summoned to a Barcelona police station and was then despatched earlier than the choose.

Catalonian police mentioned they obtained a criticism on January 2 from a lady who accused Alves of sexual assault.

The cost of sexual assault in Spain can imply something from unsolicited and undesirable sexual groping to rape.

While police declined to offer no particulars on the case, a supply near the investigation advised AFP that Alves is accused of rape.

The girl reiterated her accusation earlier than the choose on Friday, the supply added.

The alleged sexual assault befell at a preferred Barcelona nightclub in a single day December 30-31, in response to Spanish media stories.

Daily newspaper ABC mentioned Alves allegedly put his arms contained in the underwear of a lady with out her consent whereas she was dancing with buddies after which adopted her into a bathroom.

She is claimed to have knowledgeable safety employees in the membership, who activated Barcelona metropolis council’s protocol towards assaults and sexual harassment.

‘Nothing wrong happened’

A Barcelona court docket mentioned earlier this month it had opened a probe “into an alleged crime of sexual assault on account of a criticism filed by a lady towards a footballer”.

Alves has confirmed he was at the nightclub at the time but has denied any wrongdoing, telling private Spanish channel Antena 3 earlier this month that he has “never seen” the girl earlier than.

“I used to be there, at that place, with extra folks having enjoyable. Everybody is aware of I really like to bop. Having a superb time however with out invading the house of others,” the former Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain player added.

His wife, Spanish model Joana Sanz, told Antena 3 in an interview on January 9 that her husband had gone “out to dinner with friends, to disconnect a bit” on December 30.

“He went out to bop and attempt to get pleasure from music as he likes, interval. Nothing fallacious occurred…I understand how respectful he’s,” she added.

Alves was in Barcelona on holiday following his participation at the World Cup with Brazil in Qatar.

He was the oldest participant to symbolize Brazil on the males’s World Cup.

In a phenomenally successful career, Alves made 408 appearances for Barcelona, with 391 of those coming in his first spell from 2008-2016.

During that initial stint, he won six La Liga titles, three Champions League crowns and four Copa del Rey trophies.

Alves joined PSG in July 2017 on a free transfer after leaving Juventus and spent two years at the Qatari-owned French giants.

He was signed by the Pumas last July after leaving Barcelona for a second time.

The Pumas, who are linked to the National Autonomous University of Mexico, said Friday that they had terminated Alves’ contract.

“The club reiterates its commitment not to tolerate acts by any member of our institution, whoever they may be, that go against the university spirit and its values,” Pumas boss Leopoldo Silva advised reporters.

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