Joana Sanz, 31-year-old Spanish model and wife of Daniel Alves, recently shared a photograph holding hands with the Brazilian player on his social networks, showing that, despite all the controversies, the couple is still together. This public demonstration of support comes at a delicate time, as Alves has just been released from Barcelona prison with bail, where he was held for 1 year and 4 months.
Analyzing the case in more detailafter a long period of legal proceedings, Daniel Alves was preventively arrested on January 20, 2023, culminating in a sentence of 4 years and 6 months of arrest by the Barcelona Court for sexual assault. The sentence was based on the testimony of the victim, a 23-year-old woman, who claimed to have been sexually assaulted by Alves in the bathroom of a nightclub in Barcelona in the early hours of December 31, 2022, a report that the player strongly denies. The court ended up considering that there was no consent on the part of the victim and that there was sufficient evidence to prove the rape, leading to the arrest decision.
Photograph: @joanasanz
However, Alves, after having spent a minimum amount of time in prison, obtained provisional release – paid a bail of 1 million euros, pending the analysis of the appeals presented, under the condition of strict precautionary measures, including the obligation to appear in court weekly and the prohibition of leaving Spanish territory, with the retention of their passports. These measures were imposed to ensure that the player complies with the stipulated restrictions, including the prohibition of approaching the victim and communicating with him, while the judges assess the player’s risk of escape.
Faced with the possibility of being released on bail, we can see that in some cases money can buy freedom, even when it comes to crimes as serious as sexual assault. The fact that Daniel Alves was able to leave prison after paying bail raises serious questions about the justice and fairness of the legal system. The devastating impact that sexual violence has on victims cannot be ignored, and the fact that someone can simply pay their way out of prison sends a terrible message of impunity and inequality.
Since the allegations surfaced in January 2023, Sanz’s relationship with the full-back has faced several challenges. Despite the upheavals and the crisis, the couple, who have been together since 2015 and married in 2017, decided to remain together throughout the process. However, the accusations and details of the case shook their relationship, leading them to even consider divorce. However, Sanz chose to interrupt the process and return to the couple’s residence in Barcelona, demonstrating that he will remain by Alves’ side, even in the face of adversity. Joana Sanz was born in Tenerife, and in addition to her modeling career, she has also participated in a film, Un Largo Camino, by Manu Portillo. On Instagram she is followed by 975 thousand people. She is currently associated with brands such as Jimmy Choo, one of the most recent advertising campaigns she has starred in. She regularly shows at fashion weeks like Paris and currently lives in Barcelona with Dani Alves.
