SPANISH footballer Hugo Mallo will stand trial this summer after being accused of sexually assaulting a team mascot.
The former Celta Vigo captain, 32, allegedly “grabbed the breasts” of a woman under a parakeet costume as he led his side out for a top-flight match against Espanyol in April 2019.
Video footage purportedly shows the moment of the incident, which occurred at Espanyol’s Stage Front Stadium in Barcelona.
Former Spain U21 ace Mallo, who played 449 times for Celta Vigo, denies the accusations.
The alleged victim, who has upheld her right to anonymity but is referred to as ‘Ana’, made a complaint to Catalan police the day after the alleged incident.
According to the Mail, it read: “When Hugo Mallo arrived (to greet) the mascots, he gave his hand to the (male) parakeet (Periquito) as is usually done, but when he reached Ms. Ana, who at that time was playing the role of the (female) parakeet, he introduced his hands under the costume and touched her breasts.
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“According to the declarant, he grabbed her breasts with his hands and began to make movements.”
‘Ana’ then testified two months later in June 2019, with Mallo appearing in court in July 2019 to provide his own statement.
The defender, who now plays in Brazil for Internacional, requested that the case be thrown out.
But that was rejected, and two years later in May 2021 the case was instead deemed to constitute sexual assault.
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A judge said at the time: “Although it seems to occur quickly, it lasts longer than the rest of the greetings made previously to the mascot, so we do see that something is happening with the mascot (Periquita) and the player, since the mascot moves, (she) takes away (her) hand from the player and stands behind the male mascot.
“And we can see from the position of the player that he may have incurred said touches.”
Mallo was initially due to stand trial in Barcelona last year.
However, the case was postponed and he will now appear in court in July – five years after the alleged incident took place.
‘Ana’ is reportedly requesting the sentence of a 24-month fine to the state, which is reflected in article 181.1 of the Penal Code.
She is apparently no longer working at Espanyol after leaving the club in 2021, having been there since 2006.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
