)
Barcelona star faces backlash for grabbing rival player on the crotch.
Espanyol have released a strongly worded statement reprimanding Barcelona's Mapi Leon after the Spain international grabbed the genitals of one of their players.
What happened
The Liga F version of the Barcelona derby took place over the weekend, with the Blaugrana beating crosstown rivals Espanyol 2-0 thanks to two quick-fire goals deep into the second half.
)
22:47 - 10.02.2025
We are alive — Barcelona star fires warning to Real Madrid, Atletico
Barcelona star warned their rivals of their resurgence in the title race.
)
23:59 - 09.02.2025
Lewandowski matches Messi record during rampant Barcelona win
The Polish striker is slowly worming his way into becoming a fan favourite at Barcelona after impressive performances this season.
Barcelona struggled to dominate the encounter, off the back of their first home defeat since 2019 against Levante last week. However, the conversations surrounding increased parity in the league paled in comparison to those centred around the incident that occurred in the 15th minute of the derby.
In a clip now making the rounds on social media, Leon visibly grabbed Espanyol’s Daniela Caracas by the crotch and reportedly asked, “Do you have a pen*s?”
Espanyol's statement
The incident has sparked controversy in Spain, and Espanyol have now released a statement regarding it.
"From RCD Espanyol de Barcelona, we want to express our total discontent and condemnation of the events that took place last Sunday, during the derby played at CE Dani Jarque between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona. This is an action that we consider unacceptable and that should not go unnoticed.
"During a play during the match, FC Barcelona player María Pilar (Mapi) León, in the middle of a scuffle with our player, Daniela Caracas, made a gesture that violated our player's privacy. Although Caracas was unable to react at the time due to the impact caused by the situation, later, when she came to terms with what had happened, she became aware of the seriousness of the gesture, but chose not to react angrily to avoid a disciplinary sanction and harm to the team.”
"In addition to what happened on the pitch, there is also the regrettable reaction on social media, where our player has been the target of insults from hundreds of profiles. We are concerned that, instead of focusing on the act itself, part of the media attention has been diverted to other issues unrelated to the seriousness of the action.
"At RCD Espanyol we defend our player and condemn any act that threatens the integrity of female footballers on the pitch. We firmly believe in respect and sportsmanship as fundamental values of football and we hope that these types of situations are treated with the seriousness they deserve. In addition, we have made the Club's legal services available to our player in case she wishes to take legal action.
"Furthermore, as RCD Espanyol has done on previous occasions, we wish to express our rejection of any form of violence, whether physical or verbal, in the world of football. Sport must be a space for respect and coexistence, and we condemn any attitude that encourages hatred or aggression on and off the pitch."
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)