Enlarge image
Hugo Mallo played for Celta Vigo for 24 years
Photo:
Sergio Ros de Mora / Imaginechina / IMAGO
Spanish soccer player Hugo Mallo is accused of inappropriately touching a mascot during a 2019 game. This was announced by a court in Spain. The case against the defense attorney was initially dismissed. This decision has now been overturned on appeal.
The incident is said to have occurred during a Primera División league game against Espanyol. According to allegations, while the players lined up to greet each other before kick-off, Mallo touched the breasts of a woman dressed as an Espanyol mascot. However, the 32-year-old denies committing any offense.
Television images as evidence
The Spanish sports newspaper “As” first reported on the case. Mallo is said to have testified in court that the television images of the incident showed that he had done nothing wrong. However, the court said the images were enough to open a trial, which is expected to take place in July.
Spanish radio station Cope reported that he had spoken to the player. Mallo is sure that he will be acquitted based on the TV images. He said he was fully focused on the game at the time, with Celta needing a good result in the relegation battle.
The now 32-year-old played for the Spanish first division club Celta Vigo, where he started as a youth player in 1999. For a while he led Celta as captain, and in Spain's first division the right wing-back is the club's record player with 309 appearances. In 2023 he moved to Brazil to the Porto Alegre-based club Internacional.
mrk/AP