Dani Alves' mother launches attack on woman he's accused of raping

Brazilian football star Dani Alves' mother has launched an extraordinary attack on the woman he is accused of raping.

Lucia Alves took the astonishing step of naming her son's accuser and posting photos she claimed showed her partying after the alleged attack in a crude attempt to discredit her.

Her son, 40, was arrested on suspicion of rape on 20 January in Barcelona after flying to Spain from Mexico and has been held in custody since then.

Now, Lucia has told her 15,000 Instagram followers alongside a selfie photo of the young woman whose first name and surname she published: 'See the complainant for the first time'.

Lucia went on to highlight how the 24-year-old, who will give evidence against Alves at his rape trial next month in Barcelona, had backtracked on her original decision to renounce her right to compensation if the footballer is convicted.