In recent times, a growing concern has been associated with the world of football. It’s not just Dani Alves, but a rather long list of footballers who have been accused of violence or sexual harassment. The situation is alarming as it reflects the darker side of the glamorous world of sports. Today, the Brazilian footballer, Dani Alves has been sentenced to four and a half years on charges of violence committed in the restroom of a club in Barcelona.
One cannot forget the case of Achraf Hakimi, the winger for Paris Saint Germain and the Moroccan national team. Hakimi was accused in January last year by a 23-year-old girl who claimed that she was contacted on Instagram and invited to the house while his wife and children were away on a holiday. The situation escalated when Antony, another Brazilian footballer, was accused by his ex-girlfriend of violence, threats and personal injury.
The issue doesn’t stop at the top tiers but has permeated to the youth groups of big teams too. In September 2023, accusations of violence surfaced in the Real Madrid youth sector against four young individuals from Castiglia (team B) and Real C. They were investigated for spreading an erotic video involving a minor. The scenario was equally shocking in Italy, in Verona, where five former Virtus footballers were convicted for group sexual violence on a twenty-year-old student in 2020. There were also allegations against Livorno players, Mattia Lucarelli and Federico Apolloni, along with three other peers for abusing another student in a group.
Back in the top ranks of football, the Argentine players Thiago Almada and his teammate Miguel Brizuela were accused of rape by a 28-year-old woman they met at a party. However, this case led to the imprisonment of a third person, their coach Juan Jose Acuna. Lautaro Martinez, another footballer, avoided a question about this case at a press conference in Argentina, stating that the focus should be on enjoying the game.
The most severe sentence so far has been against former Milan player, Robinho. He was sentenced to nine years in prison for participating in a gang sexual violence incident against a 23-year-old girl in 2013. Unable to leave Brazil, Robinho has been confined to the country since its government denied his extradition in 2022, during the Bolsonaro era. Lastly, one must mention the rape accusation against Chad Evans and Clayton McDonald of Sheffield United dating back to 2011. McDonald was acquitted, but Evans was convicted for abusing a 19-year-old girl.
