Espanyol have accused Barcelona and Spain defender Mapi Leon of “violating the privacy” of their player Daniela Caracas following an incident during a Liga F game.
In the 15th minute of the derby match between the Barcelona-based clubs on Sunday, Leon and Caracas collided while the Espanyol player defended a set-piece.
Leon then appeared to touch Caracas around the groin area.
Espanyol expressed their “total discontent and condemnation” of the incident – a clip of which has gone viral on social media.
Colombian centre-back Caracas has been “subject to hundreds of social media insults” as a result, Espanyol said.
The statement published on the Espanyol website reads: “This is an action that we consider unacceptable and that should not go unnoticed.
“Although Caracas was unable to react at the time… 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.”
Barcelona and Leon statement
Barcelona and Leon have since released a statement on behalf of Leon, who denies the accusations.
The statement read: “At no time did I, nor was it my intention, infringe upon the intimacy of my fellow professional Daniela Caracas.
“As the images show, it was part of a playing action in which she deliberately touches me and I touch her leg saying in reaction to the clash: “What’s up with you?”. There is no contact with her private parts, and certainly no intention. I insist, it was just part of the game that does not warrant the importance that has been attached to it.
“The idea of touching the private parts of a colleague would never enter my head, it goes against my principles and I would never do such a thing.
“I condemn the harassment that Daniela appears to have been suffering on social networks, which has nothing to do with me, and I offer her my most sincere support.
“There has been noise and controversy surrounding my name, aimed solely at damaging my image and principles by spreading manipulated news and events for other purposes, evidencing the week that we are in.
“I am deeply upset and disappointed, and hence reserve the right to take legal action against whomsoever might be seeking to exploit this strictly footballing incident to cause me damage and continue spreading unfounded accusations.”
Regarding the online abuse of Caracas, the statement from Espanyol continues: “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.”
Sky Sports News has contacted Liga F for comment.
Barcelona, who won the game 2-0, are five points clear at the top of Liga F while Espanyol are 13th in the 16-team league.
Leon, 29, is a key player for Barcelona who has won five league titles and three Champions Leagues with the club.
Caracas, 27, is a Colombia international who was part of their run to the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup.
