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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Sid Lowe in Madrid

Spanish footballer found guilty of sexually assaulting woman in mascot costume

Hugo Mallo pictured with Celta Vigo in 2019, the year when the incident occurred.
Hugo Mallo pictured with Celta Vigo in 2019, the year when the incident occurred. Photograph: Lavandeira jr/EPA

Celta Vigo’s former captain Hugo Mallo has been found guilty of the sexual assault of a woman who was working as the Espanyol mascot in the final moments before a game in La Liga.

A judge in Barcelona fined him €6,000 (£5,100) with a further €1,000 with interest to be paid in compensation after ruling that Mallo put his hand inside the victim’s parakeet costume and touched her chest as she and another mascot waited at the end of the line of players shaking hands with opponents. He will also have to pay costs. Mallo, who was then with Celta and now plays in Greece for Aris, has announced he will appeal.

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