Dani Alves sacked by club after being arrested over sexual assault allegations

Mexican club Pumas have terminated the contract of Dani Alves after the Brazil international was arrested over a sexual assault allegation.

A spokesperson for the footballer confirmed he "vehemently denies" the allegations. Alves, who had two spells with Barcelona earlier in his playing career, was arrested by Barcelona police on Friday morning over an alleged offence at a nightclub last month.

"We will not tolerate actions that go against the values of this institution," a statement from the Mexican club read, with club president Leopoldo Silva addressing the media on Friday to explain the Pumas' position. Alves has been denied bail following his arrest.

Alves was arrested at the Mossos d'Esquadra de Les Corts police station in Barcelona on Friday at 10am local time. Catalonia's supreme court earlier confirmed proceedings had been opened "for an alleged crime of sexual assault as a result of the complaint filed by a woman for events that allegedly occurred in a nightclub in Barcelona last month."

"A man accused of an indecent assault at a nightclub in Barcelona late last year has been arrested", a spokesperson for the Mossos d'Esquadra, the regional law enforcement, said. "He has now been taken to court after making a statement to police. It will be up to the court now to decide what measures to take."

Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, meanwhile, reported that the footballer was taken to the Ciutat de la Justicia in Barcelona, where he was due to go to court for a decision on his provisional situation while the case is being investigated. It is now understood he has been provisionally jailed with no bail.

Alves had earlier told Antena 3 TV that he had been at the club in question. However he has denied the allegations. "I was dancing and having a good time without invading anyone's space, the Brazilian said. "I don't know who this lady is... How could I do that to a woman? No."

Alves spent the bulk of his playing career with Barcelona, winning multiple Champions League titles with the Catalan club and returning for a second spell in the 2021-22 season. He joined Pumas, based in Mexico City, in July 2022.

The 39-year-old, who has 126 caps for Brazil, was part of his country's squad at the 2022 World Cup. He has also played club football in Brazil, France and Italy, winning Serie A with Juventus and Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain.