Latest news with #DanielaCaracas
Reuters
16-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Barcelona's Leon receives two-match ban for inappropriate touch
April 16 (Reuters) - Barcelona defender Mapi Leon has been handed a two-match ban by Liga F for inappropriately touching Espanyol defender Daniela Caracas during the Catalan derby in February, the BBC reported on Wednesday. Leon was accused of "violating Caracas' intimacy" on Feb. 10 after appearing to inappropriately touch the Espanyol defender in the groin area while saying something to her as they lined up inside the box for a set piece, a mere 15 minutes after kickoff. Espanyol expressed their "total discontent and condemnation" of Leon's actions and backed the Colombian defender. Liga F did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The 29-year-old has denied the allegations, saying there was "no contact with her private parts". "At no time did I, nor was it my intention, infringe upon the intimacy of my fellow professional Daniela Caracas," she added. Leon served the first match ban last weekend against Atletico Madrid and will be absent from Barcelona's upcoming league fixture against Sevilla. Barcelona, who are four points clear of the second-placed Real Madrid, failed with an appeal over the suspension.
BBC News
16-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Barca's Leon banned for allegedly touching opponent's groin
Barcelona defender Mapi Leon has been banned for two Liga F matches following an incident with Espanyol defender Daniela Caracas in Spain international was accused of "violating the privacy" of Colombia defender Caracas on 10 February after appearing to touch her in the groin area while Espanyol defended a corner kick. Espanyol expressed their "total discontent and condemnation" of the incident after a video of the clip went viral on social F has confirmed to BBC Sport that Leon has been given a two-match suspension "due to the incident with Daniela Caracas" and would not be making any further statement. She served the first match of the suspension last weekend against Atletico Madrid and will miss Barcelona's next league game against Real Madrid. Leon denied inappropriately touching Caracas, saying there was "no contact with her private parts". "At no time did I, nor was it my intention, infringe upon the intimacy of my fellow professional Daniela Caracas," she failed with an appeal over the suspension. The Catalans are four points clear of rivals Real Madrid at the top of Liga F, with five matches of the season remaining.
The Independent
11-02-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
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".
Reuters
10-02-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Espanyol call for action over crotch-touching incident in derby against Barcelona
Feb 10 (Reuters) - Spanish soccer club Espanyol on Monday have called for action against Barcelona defender Mapi Leon for inappropriately touching their player Daniela Caracas during Sunday's Catalan derby in Liga F. The incident occurred 15 minutes after kickoff when video footage of the broadcast seems to show Barca and Spain international Leon briefly touching Caracas in the crotch area while saying something to her as they lined up inside the box for a set piece. Espanyol stated their "total discontent and condemnation" of Leon's actions that they considered to be a "violation of Caracas' intimacy", adding that they will back the Colombian defender should she wish to take legal action. Barcelona and Leon's representatives did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. "This is an action that we consider unacceptable and should not go unnoticed," Espanyol said in a statement on Monday. "During a play, FC Barcelona player Maria Pilar Leon, in the middle of a clash with our player, Daniela Caracas, made a gesture that violated the intimacy of our player. "Although Caracas, at the time, was unable to react due to the impact of the situation; later, when she assimilated what happened, she became aware of the seriousness of the gesture, but chose not to react angrily to avoid a disciplinary sanction that would harm the team. "RCD Espanyol defend our player and condemn any act that threatens the integrity of the players on the pitch. We firmly believe in respect and sportsmanship as fundamental values in football and we hope that this type of situation will be treated with the seriousness it deserves. "In addition, we have made the Club's legal services available to our player should she wish to take legal action." The game was goalless at the time of the incident, with champions Barcelona later winning the game 2-0. They are top of Liga F, five points ahead of Real Madrid, while Espanyol are 13th in the 16-team table.
