February 11 – Women’s football in Spain continues to be rocked by inappropriate behaviour on and off the pitch. During last Sunday’s Catalan derby between Espanyol and Barcelona, Spanish and Barca centerback, Mapi León, was accused of touching Espanyol’s Daniela Caracas in the crutch area.
The incident happened in the 15th minute of the game during a set piece. Leon said something to Caracas while briefly touching her inappropriately.
“Espanyol wish to express total condemnation at events which took place during the game which we consider unacceptable and should not pass unnoticed,” a club statement said on Monday.
“During the match, Barça player León, in a struggle with our player, Caracas, made a gesture which violated the privacy of said player.
“At the time, Caracas did not react because of the impact caused by the situation.
“Later, after assimilating what happened, she became aware of the seriousness of the gesture, but chose not to react angrily to avoid a disciplinary sanction and harming the team.”
The club said the incident had generated insults directed at Caracas on social media. Espanyol said they are “concerned that, instead of focusing on the act itself, the media attention has been diverted to other issues unrelated to the seriousness of the action.”
There has been no reaction from the Spanish Football Federation to date as they’re currently dealing with the fallout from the infamous kiss by former Spanish FA chief, Luis Rubiales, on Jenni Hermoso during last year’s Women’s World Cup.
Espanyol have offered to make the club’s legal team available to Caracas should she wish to take any action against León.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1739260364labto1739260364ofdlr1739260364owedi1739260364sni@n1739260364osloh1739260364cin.l1739260364uap1739260364