Dani Alves: Spanish prosecutors seek nine-year prison sentence for ex-Barcelona player in sexual assault trial

Prosecutors are seeking a nine-year prison sentence for Brazilian football star Dani Alves for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman last year, a Spanish court has said.

The 40-year-old is set to face trial over allegations he assaulted the woman in a nightclub in Barcelona on December 30.

The Brazilian was indicted by an investigative judge in August and the court said this month there was enough evidence to open a trial. A date for the hearings was not yet set.

The former Sevilla defender has denied any wrongdoing, claiming he had consensual sex with the accuser.

Prosecutors also want Alves to pay €150,000 (£131,000) in damages to the victim, and to be prohibited from having any contact with her for an additional 10 years. They also want Alves to remain supervised for a decade after serving his prison term.

If found guilty, Alves would be prohibited from any type of work with minors for 10 years after his term, in accordance with Spanish law.

Under Spain's new sexual consent law, the charge of sexual assault takes in a wide array of crimes from online abuse and groping to rape, each with different possible punishments. A case of rape could carry a maximum sentence of 15 years.

Alves has been in pre-trial jail since January, when he was arrested after an initial investigation by authorities.

All of Alves' bail requests have been denied because the court has considered him a flight risk. The player had offered to turn in his passports and wear a tracking device while awaiting the court's decision.

Prosecutors this week again opposed the most recent request for freedom made by Alves' lawyers.

Alves won 42 major honours, including three Champions Leagues with Barcelona and two Copa Americas with Brazil. He played at his third World Cup last year in Qatar.

His lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.