Was a long-time Spanish league professional assaulting a mascot? The country’s judiciary has brought charges – the allegations are serious.
Spanish professional footballer Hugo Mallo has to stand trial for an alleged sexual assault on a woman dressed as a mascot. As the AFP news agency learned on Wednesday, charges were brought against the former captain of first division club Celta Vigo in the summer.
The incident is said to have occurred in 2019. Mallo, who now plays for Porto Alegre in Brazil, is said to have harassed the alleged victim on the field before the game at Espanyol Barcelona. According to the prosecution’s conclusions, Mallo “put his hands under her costume and touched her breasts.” The Espanyol mascot is called Periquito and is a budgie. Mallo is ordered to pay 8,000 euros for sexual assault.
The proceedings were temporarily discontinued, but were resumed in 2021 after an appeal by the victim’s legal representatives.