Spanish Soccer Player Hugo Mallo Convicted of Sexual Assault

Spanish soccer player Hugo Mallo has been convicted of sexual assault for inappropriately touching a mascot during a 2019 La Liga game. He received a fine and damages while planning to appeal the verdict, maintaining his innocence. The case, initially dismissed, was overturned on appeal.

Spanish soccer player Hugo Mallo has been convicted of sexual assault for inappropriately touching a mascot before a La Liga game in 2019, court officials revealed on Thursday.

The former Celta Vigo player was found guilty of inappropriately touching the breasts of a woman dressed in Espanyol's parakeet costume while players lined up to salute each other before kickoff.

A judge has fined Mallo 6,000 euros ($6,600) and ordered him to pay 1,000 euros ($1,100) in damages to the victim. The 33-year-old Mallo, however, reiterated his innocence and announced plans to appeal the ruling, sharing a video of the incident on Instagram.

"I continue to categorically deny the facts attributed to me in the ruling," Mallo stated. "I acknowledged that while turning around after the greetings, my hand may have touched the waist of the parakeet, but I absolutely deny it touched the parakeet's breasts." Initially dismissed, the case was later overturned on appeal. At the time, Mallo posted a statement on Instagram calling for "respect" and pointing out that neither Celta nor Espanyol found evidence of wrongdoing.

Mallo is also responsible for the legal costs of the proceedings.

(With inputs from agencies.)