Spain court denies Dani Alves’ appeal to be freed on bail

A Spanish court denied Dani Alves’ appeal on Tuesday to be freed on bail while the investigation of a sexual assault accusation against the Brazilian soccer player continues.

The court ruled that Alves was a flight risk and must remain in prison during the investigation. A trial has not been set.

Alves was provisionally detained in January after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a nightclub on Dec. 30. He has denied wrongdoing and said sex with the accuser was consensual.

A judge ordered him to be jailed without bail after analyzing the initial probe by authorities and hearing testimony from Alves, the alleged victim and witnesses.

“Daniel Alves remains as innocent as he was before this ruling,” his defense team said in a statement. “His desire to leave Spain and elude the process did not, and does not, exist.”

Alves’ lawyers filed the appeal saying the Brazilian