Xavi Hernandez shoked over Dani Alves accusations

• Xavi surprised, taken aback in a state of shock by Dani Alves.
• Dani is being held in detention in Barcelona without bail.
• A lady accused Alves of sexual assault on her on January 2.

Coach Xavi Hernandez of Barcelona claimed on Saturday that Dani Alves’s arrest on sexual assault charges had left him “in a state of shock.”

The 39-year-old defender is being kept in detention in Barcelona without bail after being fired by his Mexican team Pumas following his arrest.

In Spain, a sexual assault charge can refer to anything from unwanted and uninvited groping to rape.

Despite police’s refusal to comment on the issue, a source familiar with the inquiry told AFP that the lady had accused Alves of rape.

On Friday, the insider added, she repeated her accusation in front of the judge.

Alves, who spent eight seasons playing for Barcelona between 2008 and 2016, briefly returned to the Catalans last season under his former teammate Xavi.

“It is hard to speak about a situation like this, first of all,” Xavi told a news conference on Saturday, the day before his team’s clash with Getafe in La Liga.

“I think like everybody, I am surprised, taken aback, I am in a state of shock, knowing Dani.

“That’s the first thing that comes to mind. And after that, because it’s a matter for the law, and the law will run its course, we cannot get into it.

“Regarding Dani, I feel bad for him, I am surprised, given how Dani is, and how he has been when he was here with us.

“(I’m) surprised, taken aback, I can’t say anything else.”

According to Catalan police, a lady accused Alves of sexual assault on her on January 2.

According to Spanish media accounts, the alleged sexual assault happened over the course of the night of December 30 and 31 at a well-known Barcelona nightclub.

Alves played a significant role in Barcelona’s heyday, helping the team to six La Liga championships and three Champions League triumphs.

Among other teams, the Brazilian has played for Sevilla, Paris Saint-Germain, and Juventus.

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