Barcelona. Dani Alves appeared in court on Monday to testify before a judge investigating sexual assault allegations against him.

Alves has been in jail since January 20 after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a Barcelona nightclub on December 30. The Brazilian footballer denies the accusations and says that the sexual relationship was consensual.

The court rejected Alves’ request for bail pending the investigation, saying he could have fled. No court date has been set.

Alves is in custody based on evidence gathered during a preliminary investigation, as well as statements from the player, the alleged victim and witnesses.

The law on sexual consent, passed in Spain last year, includes a wide range of crimes under the term sexual violence, from online violence and groping to rape, with different penalties. A rape conviction can mean up to 15 years in prison.

Alves, 39, won 42 titles with Barcelona, ​​including three Champions Leagues, as well as two Copa Americas with Brazil. Last year, he played his third World Cup in Qatar.