Neymar in Hot Water with Brazilian Government Officials After Helping Dani Alves Reduce Prison Sentence

Brazilian star Neymar has been slammed by Brazilian government officials after providing help for former teammate Dani Alves.

The world is still reeling from the shockwaves of a guilty verdict as Dani Alves was found guilty of sexual assault amounting to rape on Thursday.

The football star has been sentenced to four and a half years, with an additional five on probation, a nine-year restraining order, and a hefty €150k in damages to the victim.

Mixed Responses to Dani Alves Sentence

The verdict has sparked a mixed response, with the prosecution seeking 9 years in jail and the victim asking for the full 12-year sentence. However, the final decision landed close to the minimum four-year sentence.

The judge considered the full payment of damages as a mitigating factor. To complicate matters further, there are indications that Alves could be allowed out of jail later this year.

Criticism from Brazilian Officials

According to Sport, Brazilian Minister for Women Cida Goncalves criticized the sentence as 'soft' for what she termed 'such an atrocity.' Meanwhile, Gleisi Hoffman, the President of the Worker's Party and a representative, took aim at Neymar Junior's role in the case. Neymar's family allegedly contributed the €150k in damages, leading to the reduction in Alves' sentence.

Hoffman voiced her concerns, stating, "The conviction of the rapist Daniel Alves is pedagogical and exemplary, it shows that society no longer tolerates sexist and misogynistic behavior. The absurd thing was that he borrowed money from Neymar, paid the compensation and reduced the sentence, something that does not solve anything for the victim, it does not erase their suffering."

Wealth Disparities and Questions of Justice

The situation raises questions about the divide between justice for the wealthy and the less affluent. The financial contribution made by Neymar's family, as a proportion of Alves' and Neymar's wealth, represents a fraction of their fortunes and annual salaries. For Neymar, it is believed to be much less than a week's earnings, prompting a critical examination of the disparities in the justice system.