We’re very bemused and confused about the news coming from Spain. Former Celta Vigo captain Hugo Mallo, who now plays in Brazil, will go on trial for sexually abusing a mascot on the pitch in front of tens of thousands of people! The incident occurred on 24 April 2019 at Estadi Cornella-El Prat in Barcelona just before a match between Espanyol and Celta.According to reports, the incident allegedly occurred during the customary greeting between players from both teams and mascots. The complaint filed by the alleged victim referred to as Ana, accuses Mallo of inserting his hands under her costume and touching her breasts without consent while she was portraying the Espanyol mascot. Ana reported the incident to the authorities the following day, and legal proceedings ensued.##NAJAVA_MECA_7838753##Both the lawyer for Ana and the Prosecutor’s Office are seeking a penalty of 24 months of fines for Mallo under the Spanish penal code, which addresses acts that violate another person’s sexual freedom or integrity. Despite Mallo’s denial of the accusations and the provisional dismissal of the case by a lower court, the Provincial Court of Barcelona later overturned this decision, ruling that the case should proceed to trial.‼️ 𝐔́𝐋𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐀 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐀 | Hugo Mallo, acusado de abuso sexual antes de un Espanyol-Celta.⚠️ El jugador, en el habitual pasamanos, “introdujo las manos bajo el disfraz y le hizo tocamientos en los pechos” (como recoge la denuncia).👨🏼⚖️ Piden 24 meses de multa (As). pic.twitter.com/WwHETCQJ3r— Offsider (@Offsider_ES) January 30, 2024 The oral trial was initially scheduled for 25 May 2023 but has been postponed to 11 July 2024. The involved parties include Hugo Mallo, the alleged victim Ana, Espanyol, Celta de Vigo, and the security company that employed Ana as the mascot at the time of the incident.The case has garnered significant attention and highlights the complexities and sensitivities surrounding allegations of sexual misconduct in sports settings.
