Eight witnesses testified at a closed hearing in Barcelona in the case of sexual harassment against soccer player Dani Alves.

Witnesses spoke to the judge who oversaw the investigation.

A Brazilian soccer player is accused of sexually assaulting and raping a young woman in a Barcelona nightclub on December 30. Alves, 39, has been in jail for the past two weeks after authorities denied him bail.

A 23-year-old woman who complained that she was raped by a soccer player is being represented in court by Esther Garcia, a sex crime specialist. Alves’ lawyer Cristobal Martes is an expert in financial matters and previously represented Lionel Messi in a tax fraud case.

None of the lawyers spoke to the media after the testimony, which lasted more than two hours. The Judicial Inquiry will decide whether the case should go to trial. According to the Associated Press, the preliminary investigation could take several weeks.

Alves controversy

Initially, the football player denied everything, claiming that he had never seen the woman who accused him. But he later claimed that he and the alleged victim had consensual sex.

This week, Alves’ lawyer filed an appeal demanding the player’s release on bail, suggesting that he surrender his passport and wear a tracking device.

At first, the judge denied Alves bail because he thought he was a fugitive. His appeal is now being considered by a higher court.

The footballer’s contract with Mexican club Pumas was terminated after he was arrested by Spanish authorities in connection with the case.

Source Associated Press