Barcelona Star Under Fire for Alleged Inappropriate Touching in Women’s Derby

BARCELONA, Spain — A shocking incident during the women’s derby between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona has sparked outrage in the football community. On February 9, 2025, Barcelona defender María Pilar “Mapi” León allegedly touched the genital area of Espanyol player Daniela Caracas during a set-piece situation, an act that has been described as both inappropriate and unacceptable.

The match, which ended 2-0 in favor of Barcelona, was tense, with tension escalating as both teams fought for dominance on the field. It wasn’t until late in the game that Barcelona secured their victory with goals from Fridolina Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo. Criticism of Espanyol’s tactics surfaced post-match. Following the incident, Hansen pointedly remarked, “If the rival does not want to play and only wants to throw punches, it makes the game harder.”

Espanyol issued a public statement condemning León’s actions, emphasizing that they “consider the events that occurred during the match unacceptable and not to be overlooked.” The club highlighted that Caracas did not immediately react to the inappropriate contact or comments made by León at that moment due to the shock of the situation but later recognized the severity of the gesture.

“We are concerned that the attention may be shifted from the act itself to irrelevant matters, especially the unfounded insults directed at our player on social media,” the statement continued, expressing solidarity with Caracas. Espanyol has offered legal assistance to Caracas should she decide to pursue action against León.

The incident drew parallels with a historical event in Spanish football from 1991, when Real Madrid’s Míchel faced repercussions for a similar misconduct involving Colombian player Carlos Valderrama. Míchel was fined for his inappropriate actions, raising expectations for a resolution in the current controversy.

As the outrage continues to grow on social media, many fans are demanding accountability from both the player and the club. Mapi León has not yet issued a public statement, nor has FC Barcelona responded to the allegations or their implications. The Football Federation is expected to investigate the incident further and determine what disciplinary action, if any, should be taken.

This event has reignited discussions about respect and decorum in women’s football. As fans and players alike await further developments, the football community is left questioning the standards of conduct expected on the pitch and how effectively they are enforced.