Hugo Mallo has been reportedly found guilty of sexual assault after he allegedly groped the breasts of a mascot inside a parrot costume.
1. The incident took place in 2019 in Espanyol
2. Mallo travelled to Catalonia with Celta Vigo
3. Has been asked to pay compensation to the victim
WHAT HAPPENED ?
According to AS, the former Celta Vigo captain and current Aris Thessaloniki player, Mallo, has been found guilty following a lengthy legal process that spanned over five years. The incident occurred in April 2019 when Celta Vigo visited Espanyol for a La Liga match. As the teams lined up to enter the pitch, Mallo, who was leading his side as captain, is alleged to have inappropriately touched the mascot, a woman inside a parrot costume known as "Periquita." Video footage from the day showed Mallo embracing the mascot for a longer period than his other interactions, leading to suspicion.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
In June 2019, the victim provided her testimony, outlining the details of the incident. Mallo followed by giving his own statement the next month, in which he denied the allegations and requested the case be dismissed. However, his request was rejected and the legal proceedings continued.
WHAT THE VICTIM SAID
In her initial complaint to the Mossos d'Esquadra (the Catalonian police), Ana (name changed to uphold anonymity) described the encounter, saying that Mallo had greeted the male parrot mascot as usual but treated her differently when he reached her. According to her statement, via Daily Mail, he placed his hands under her costume and groped her, forcing her to step back and remove herself from the interaction.
"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," stated the victim's initial complaint.
"According to the declarant, he grabbed her breasts with his hands and began to make movements."
As reported by Daily Mail, Ana, who had played the role of Periquita since 2006, ultimately left her position at the club in 2021, reportedly due to the trauma she experienced from the incident.
WHAT THE JUDGE SAID
The case was formally recognized as a sexual assault in May 2021, following the intervention of Barcelona's Provincial Court's Ninth Section. The judge overseeing the case pointed out that the video footage, while brief, clearly showed an interaction that lasted longer than usual.
"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," the judge observed.
"We can see from the position of the player that he may have incurred said touches."
It was ruled that: "The accused, with the intention of satisfying his libidinous desire and of undermining the sexual indemnity of the same, put his hands under the costume and touched her breasts, forcing Ana to step back and push the accused away with her right hand."
MALLO TO PAY COMPENSATION
The court has ordered Mallo to compensate Ana with £844 plus interest. Additionally, he will be required to pay £8.44 per day for a period of 20 months, amounting to just over £5,000 ($6530). Mallo will also bear the procedural costs of the case. Although Mallo has been convicted, his legal representatives have not ruled out the possibility of appealing the decision. The 33-year-old footballer continues to maintain his innocence, and his legal team is reportedly considering further steps to challenge the court’s ruling.
Source: goal.com
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