The 19th Criminal Court of Barcelona is set to hear the Hugo Mallo case on July 11, 2024, after an earlier date scheduled for May 25, 2023 was postponed. The proceedings are part of an abbreviated procedure, with the objective of resolving the case against a former captain of Celta de Vigo and current player for Internacional in Porto Alegre in Brazil. The investigation centers on allegations of sexual abuse tied to events surrounding a match in which Mallo was involved, with reports circulating in media coverage including AS. The case remains under judicial review as authorities examine the circumstances surrounding the incident that reportedly occurred on April 24, 2019, during a league match in Barcelona between Espanyol and Celta, at the Cornellà-El Prat stadium. On that Wednesday evening, the fixture was listed as the Thirty-fourth day of the 2018-19 La Liga season and was scheduled to begin at 20:30, drawing attention from fans and reporters alike as the sport event unfolded.
The allegations concern actions that unfolded on the pitch in front of a crowd of spectators, specifically during the customary pre-match ritual in which players from both teams lined up and passed each other along the line. It is reported that Mallo, then serving as captain for his team, was involved in contact that forms the nucleus of the complaint. At the time, a person described by prosecutors and the complainant as a female supporter dressed in a distinctive budgie costume stood near the end of the line, and the incident in question is said to have occurred as she passed by. The complaint indicates that the interaction took place in a context where the witness describes inappropriate touching, raising questions about the applicability of the sexual assault provisions under the Criminal Code in force at that time. The narrative described in the complaint emphasizes movements of contact and the impression left on the alleged victim, prompting authorities to treat the event as part of the ongoing investigation into sexual abuse claims linked to professional football within that era of the league. The facts, as presented by the complainant and corroborated by investigators, are under judicial scrutiny to determine whether they meet the legal criteria applicable at the time of the alleged conduct and how they should be interpreted within the broader framework of the case.
According to the documentation submitted by the complainant, the encounter involved a gesture that began as a customary handshake but escalated when Mallo allegedly interacted with the individual identified as Ana, the alleged victim who has requested anonymity. The narrative states that a hand gesture and the manner of contact occurred as part of the moment when the budgie-costumed participant approached and passed the line. The timeline suggests that after the initial contact, there were further actions described as touching, with the complainant asserting that the officer or witness observed movements intended to express ownership or control in a way that caused distress. The complaint notes that the information was reported to the Mossos d’Esquadra the following day, on April 25, 2019, at 15:23, outlining a sequence of events that raised concerns about the boundaries of appropriate conduct during a public event. Authorities have documented the statements of the alleged victim and additional witnesses to establish a factual matrix that permits a careful assessment of the alleged misconduct and its legal consequences in the period preceding the current case review. The court is also evaluating the credibility of testimonies and the consistency of the incident narrative in light of available evidence.
Both the counsel representing the alleged victim and the Prosecutor’s Office have aligned in seeking a 24-month fine for Mallo, a sentence that would reflect the severity of the allegations while fitting within the sentencing framework applicable to the period in question. The discussions surrounding penalties have focused on whether the charges meet the threshold of a sexual offense under the statutes in force at the time and how such provisions would inform a potential conviction and a sentence that aligns with established legal standards for similar offenses. The ongoing proceedings are expected to illuminate the specifics of the case, including the interpretation of actions taken during the pre-match ritual, the role of the individuals involved, and the implications for the parties involved, as well as the broader impact on the sporting community and its governance of professional conduct in scenarios that blend public events with close personal interactions. As the hearing approaches, legal observers and supporters of both sides await a resolution that clarifies accountability and the applicable law during that period in Spanish football history.