Social media reports suggesting that former Barcelona star Dani Alves had taken his own life in prison are false, his brother has confirmed.
Alves, who was last month sentenced to four years and six months in jail for rape, had his name trending on social media after a viral tweet claimed he had committed suicide in prison.
Alves’s brother Ney responded to the rumours in a furious Instagram live video.
“How cruel human beings can be! He’s already been convicted. Is that not enough? Now the madness is people want him dead,” Ney exclaimed.
“They want to see my brother dead. How cruel is that! My dad is more than 70 years old and my mum is more than 60. Do people like this not have family?”
Alves pleaded not guilty to the charges after taking the stand on the final day of his hearing last month.
The former Brazil international claimed he had consensual sex with his 23-year-old accuser. She said the footballer had forced himself on her.
While Alves’s lawyer has since confirmed that they will be appealing his rape conviction, state prosecutors are set to appeal to the higher court for a longer sentence.
Pictured above: Dani Alves is alive.
Image source: @mrkonaduapraku
