Barcelona FC Women player Mapi Leon has been accused of “violating the privacy” of an opponent last weekend. The Spain international clashed with Espanyol’s Daniela Caracas in the 15th minute of their Liga F game on Sunday.
Caracas was marking Leon at a set-piece but they collided. In remarkable footage, the Barca defender then touched her opponent in the groin area.
Espanyol say Caracas, 27, was left furious but decided not to take drastic action against Leon at the time in case she was punished.
A statement issued by Espanyol read: “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 Maria Pilar Leon, 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.”
Espanyol say that Caracas has been subjected to threats on social media in the aftermath of the incident.
The statement continued: “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.”
Leon said in a statement issued by Barca: “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.”
Barcelona won the match 2-0 and are five points clear at the top of Liga F. Leon is a three-time Champions League and five-time Liga F champion. Caracas helped Colombia reach the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup.
