Barcelona's Mapi Leon denies inappropriately touching rival in ‘private parts'
Barcelona defender Mapi Leon has denied touching an opponent's 'private parts' after a video surfaced of her touching the crotch of an opponent.
The former Spain Women star has been accused of 'violating the privacy' of Espanyol 's Daniela Caracas following a confrontation on Sunday in the Catalan derby.
Espanyol condemned the alleged incident with the club offering Caracas the services of their legal team to pursue action against Leon.
But the Barcelona star has strongly denied the accusation, responding via a statement from her club: '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.'
Earlier, in a separate statement, Espanyol said they wanted to 'express total condemnation at events which took place during the game which we consider unacceptable and should not pass unnoticed.'
The players could be seen arguing in the 15th minute with the game level at 0-0, though Barcelona eventually ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo.
The incident comes during the ongoing trial of former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales after being accused of forcibly kissing Jenni Hermoso following Spain's iconic 2023 Women's World Cup victory in Australia.
Leon has not featured for the Spanish national team since 2022 and she was among 15 players to reject call-ups following a dispute with former coach Jorge Vilda.
'[I have] a way of life and values. I can't go back if the situation hasn't changed,' Leon told RAC1 before the World Cup. 'There have to be changes. I'm not saying that no changes have happened, but I don't see them'.
Caracas sparked controversy in 2023 with remarks against the Republic of Ireland, proclaiming, "let them eat s***" and labelling her rivals "little girls" after a hostile warm-up match was abandoned after just 20 minutes.
The ill-tempered affair was scrapped when Denise O'Sullivan was the target of a strong challenge, with manager at the time Vera Pauw later stating that she "feared for their bodies".
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
30 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Sir David Beckham joins Mail Sport in calling for England's greatest World Cup captain Bobby Moore to be given honour he richly deserves
Sir David Beckham today leads the star names calling for 1966 World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore to be given a posthumous knighthood. Beckham, the most recent member of the football family to be knighted, insisted it was only right for Moore to be recognised for his amazing contribution to the game. 'Bobby led his England team to the height of sporting achievement when they won the World Cup,' he said. 'He was a giant of a man, an incredible leader and one of the finest players our country has produced. 'I am delighted to join so many other great names to support calls for his contribution to be recognised with a knighthood.' Sir Geoff Hurst, England's hat-trick hero from the final, who received a knighthood in 1998 for services to football, agreed it was only fair his late friend and former team-mate was properly recognised for his significant contribution to football and to charity. Ex-West Ham skipper Moore is considered one of the game's greatest defenders, commended for his 'immaculate' behaviour on and off the pitch. More than £30million has been raised for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK, set up by his widow, Stephanie, after his death from the disease in 1993 aged just 51, generating vital funds and increasing public awareness. Now star names have backed a petition calling on the Government to find a way of posthumously marking Moore's significant achievements — amid claims he was 'let down by the authorities' at the time. Sir Geoff told Mail Sport: 'If any of the two of us deserved a knighthood it would be the captain of the team. Yes, I scored the goals, but the captain of the great sides is always the significant figure. 'You could argue he should get two knighthoods, one for football and one for his phenomenal charity efforts. I can't think of anybody more deserving of a knighthood in football than Mooro.' Sir Geoff added: 'The treatment he received at the end of his career by the hierarchy was abysmal. He should have been looked after, put in a senior role within English football.' Former Manchester United and England skipper Bryan Robson said it was 'wrong' Moore never received a knighthood. 'Bobby never got the recognition he deserved for being the captain of the team that won the World Cup,' he added. 'Other players got a knighthood but I always thought Bobby deserved one. He was a gentleman and I'm all for supporting this campaign.' Former England midfielder Frank Lampard said: 'I grew up with the stories of the great Bobby Moore being immaculate as a player and person. He and the '66 boys were a huge inspiration to me.' And former manager Harry Redknapp, who played alongside Moore at the Hammers, said: 'He was a fantastic role model, a true gentleman and most of all the greatest ever England captain. He was a special person and a great pal. It is an injustice he has not been honoured with a knighthood which he truly deserved.' The campaign has also been backed by huge names from outside of football. Mail Sport's Sir Clive Woodward, who managed England's 2003 Rugby World Cup win, said: 'He (Moore) served as the example of what I expected from my captains. That he was never knighted is one of the most egregious oversights. 'It is long overdue time to right that wrong for a gentleman who was class on and off the pitch.' Former Football Focus host Dan Walker added: 'There is a reason "Sir Bobby" rolls off the tongue and that's because the vast majority of people think he is one already or believe he should be. 'The lack of a knighthood might be a glaring anomaly but the good news is it's really easy to remedy. Arise Sir Bobby.' Rules dictate knighthood nominations must be scrutinised by the Honours Committee before recommendations are made to the Prime Minister, who then advises the Monarch. Knighthoods die with the recipient and cannot be granted posthumously. However, author Martin Amis received a backdated award shortly after his death as the wheels were already in motion to grant him an honour before he died. It has prompted calls for the creation of a unique honour or equivalent award to recognise Moore. Graham Nickless, spokesman for the Honour Bobby Moore campaign, who helped set up the petition, said: 'Having watched Bobby lead England to World Cup victory on a black-and-white telly in 1966, I am extremely proud to be playing a small part in trying to get our captain the highest honour this country can give him — and about time, too. 'I believe this is the last chance we will have to right a wrong and I am confident the British public will want to support a petition that will strike home a powerful message to the FA hierarchy and parliamentarians alike.' London-born Moore made his Three Lions debut in 1962 and was capped 108 times during an 11-year international career. He played much of his club football at West Ham before signing for Fulham. He captained the Hammers to the 1964 FA Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup the following year. Moore was known for wearing the No6 jersey, and received an OBE in 1967.
Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
Saturday's briefing: Brentford name new boss and England Under-21s aim for glory
Keith Andrews was appointed Brentford boss and Ruud van Nistelrooy was shown the door at Leicester. Chelsea prepared to meet Benfica in the Club World Cup round of 16 as England Under-21s focused on becoming European champions again. Andrews is the Bees' knees Our New Head Coach 🐝 — Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) June 27, 2025 Brentford have appointed Keith Andrews as their new head coach. The Bees have been without a boss since Thomas Frank took up the vacancy at Tottenham left by Ange Postecoglou. Andrews, the former Wolves and Republic of Ireland midfielder, has been working as the Bees' set-piece coach. The 44-year-old has now now been promoted to the top coaching job, saying he felt 'humbled' and 'honoured' to have been appointed. Andrews said: 'I'm very appreciative of the owner (Matthew Benham), the board and the staff that have supported this decision. It's an opportunity I feel I'm very capable of doing and ready to do.' Young Lions' glory bid England are close to European Under-21 Championship glory again with a final date against Germany on Saturday. Lee Carsley's Young Lions' victory beat the Netherlands this week to put them within one match of retaining their crown in Slovakia. Harvey Elliott was the star of the show against the Dutch, and the Liverpool attacking midfielder is sure to be a key threat again. Senior England boss Thomas Tuchel is set to make the journey to Bratislava and cast his gaze over players keen to impress him ahead of next summer's World Cup. 'If he does come it will be extra motivation for the lads to win,' skipper James McAtee said. 'More reason to impress the manager.' Another Chelsea chance for Delap? Summer signing Liam Delap hopes to shine for Chelsea once more in their Club World Cup tie against Benfica. The competition has reached the knockout stage and Blues boss Enzo Maresca has promised further rotation because of the American heat. But Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson remains suspended after being handed a two-match ban for his straight red card against Flamengo. That could mean another start for Delap, who has impressed in the tournament so far and scored his first Chelsea goal against Esperance Tunis. Ruud ending as Foxes sack boss Leicester City Football Club and Ruud van Nistelrooy have mutually agreed that Ruud's contract with the Club as First Team Manager will terminate with immediate effect. — Leicester City (@LCFC) June 27, 2025 Ruud van Nistelrooy has left Leicester following the club's relegation from the Premier League. Van Nistelrooy was appointed at the King Power Stadium in November, but was unable to steer the club away from danger. Leicester's return to the Sky Bet Championship was sealed with five games of the season to play, and Van Nistelrooy's departure had been expected. The former Manchester United and Netherlands forward called for talks with the Foxes hierarchy as soon as relegation was confirmed, but was left hanging for several weeks. The delay since the end of the season is understood to have hinged around the start of a new accounting period, which begins on Monday. What's on today? All set for tomorrow night's #U21EURO Final 👊⏳ — England (@England) June 27, 2025 England Under-21s go in search of a second successive continental crown when they play Germany in the European Championship final. The Young Lions won the competition two years ago for the first time since 1984 and have eliminated Spain and Netherlands in the knockout stages. The round of 16 at the Club World Cup gets underway with Chelsea playing Benfica in Charlotte, and Palmeiras and Botafogo meeting in an all-Brazil battle in Philadelphia.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Spain star Aitana Bonmati hospitalised with meningitis ahead of Euro 2025
Midfielder Aitana Bonmati, Ballon d'Or winner for the last two years, has been hospitalised with viral meningitis less than a week before Spain begin their Women's Euro 2025 campaign. The 27-year-old missed the 3-1 win over Japan in a friendly as Spain continued building up to their first Group B match against Portugal on 3 July. Bonmati shared a picture of herself watching the match from a hospital bed in an Instagram story. "The doctors say that it is controlled. Talking about meningitis can be scary but it is controlled," coach Montse Tome told reporters after the win in Leganes. "Aitana will be admitted and there are no deadlines yet to know for how long [she will be absent].' Barcelona's Bonmati, who also won the Fifa Women's Player of the Year award for 2023 and 2024, has scored 30 goals for Spain in 78 appearances, playing a key role as they won the Women's World Cup in 2023 and the Women's Nations League last year. "Aitana, for us, is a very important player. We'll wait for her as long as we can," Tome added. Spain, who also have Belgium and Italy in their group, have never made it to the final of the continental championship, reaching the semi-finals only once in 1997.
