Former Brazil football star Dani Alves is facing a trial in Barcelona for allegedly raping a woman at an upscale nightclub. The trial is set to begin at 10 am at a court in Spain’s second city where the 40-year-old former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player has been in jail since his arrest in January 2023.

The prosecution is seeking a nine-year jail sentence and 150,000 euros ($162,000) in compensation for the alleged victim. The media will be allowed to follow the proceedings, except for when the accuser takes the stand.

The woman’s identity will remain confidential, and she will not have to be “visually confronted with the accused”. According to the indictment, Alves knew the nightclub layout well and was on holiday in Barcelona at the time after playing for Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar.

The prosecution alleges that he forced the woman to have intercourse despite her resistance and prevented her from leaving, resulting in “post-traumatic stress of overall high intensity” for the woman. Alves has been in jail as Spanish courts have refused to release him pending trial due to a risk of him fleeing to Brazil.

A plea deal remains possible until the start of the trial, and he could admit guilt in exchange for a softer penalty. After his arrest, Alves was dismissed by his club Pumas UNAM.

In his career, he has won numerous trophies, including three Champions Leagues with Barcelona and two Copa Americas with Brazil, and became the oldest player to represent Brazil at the 2022 World Cup.