Spanish Footballer Convicted of Sexual Assault for Inappropriately Touching a Mascot

FILE - Perica, the mascot of Espanyol F.C., performs before the match against Atlético de Madrid in Barcelona on Sept. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort, file)
FILE - Perica, the mascot of Espanyol F.C., performs before the match against Atlético de Madrid in Barcelona on Sept. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort, file)
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Spanish Footballer Convicted of Sexual Assault for Inappropriately Touching a Mascot

FILE - Perica, the mascot of Espanyol F.C., performs before the match against Atlético de Madrid in Barcelona on Sept. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort, file)
FILE - Perica, the mascot of Espanyol F.C., performs before the match against Atlético de Madrid in Barcelona on Sept. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort, file)

Spanish soccer player Hugo Mallo has been convicted of sexual assault for inappropriately touching a mascot before a La Liga game in 2019, court officials said on Thursday.
The former Celta Vigo player was found to have inappropriately touched the breasts of the woman who was wearing Espanyol’s parakeet costume while players lined up to salute each other before kickoff, The Associated Press reported.
A judge fined Mallo 6,000 euros ($6,600) and ordered him to pay 1,000 euros ($1,100) in damages to the victim.
The 33-year-old Mallo reiterated his innocence and said he planned to appeal the sentencing. Mallo posted a video of the incident on Instagram.
“I continue to categorically deny the facts attributed to me in the ruling,” he said. “I acknowledged that while turning around after the greetings that my hand could have touched the waist of the parakeet, but I absolutely denied that it touched the parakeet’s breasts.”
The case was initially dismissed but that decision was overturned on appeal. At the time, Mallo posted a statement on Instagram calling for “respect” and pointing out that neither Celta nor Espanyol found evidence of wrongdoing.
Mallo will also have to pay for the legal costs of the proceedings.



Barcelona Faces Athletic Bilbao in Spanish Super Cup Semi-Final Wednesday in Jeddah

General view from Jeddah - File photo/SPA
General view from Jeddah - File photo/SPA
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Barcelona Faces Athletic Bilbao in Spanish Super Cup Semi-Final Wednesday in Jeddah

General view from Jeddah - File photo/SPA
General view from Jeddah - File photo/SPA

Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao will face off tomorrow in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 10 p.m.
Barcelona, the most decorated team in the history of the Spanish Super Cup with 14 titles from 27 appearances, is looking to secure a place in the final.

Athletic Bilbao, boasting three titles, is equally determined to advance and enhance its storied legacy, according to SPA.
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the Spanish Super Cup, an event organized as part of the Quality of Life Program, underscores the Kingdom's growing status as a global hub for major sporting events.

This initiative aligns with Vision 2030, which aims to develop the sports sector, foster growth, and promote a vibrant society.