A controversial moment during Sunday’s Barcelona vs. Espanyol Liga F derby has sparked outrage, with Espanyol accusing Barcelona and Spain defender Mapi León of violating the privacy of their player, Daniela Caracas. The incident, which quickly went viral on social media, has fueled heated debates among fans and pundits alike.
In the 15th minute of the fiercely contested match, León and Colombian centre-back Caracas collided while battling for a set-piece. Video footage appears to show León making contact with Caracas in her groin area, an act that Espanyol later condemned in a strongly worded statement.
Espanyol expressed their “total discontent and condemnation” over the incident, while also revealing that Caracas has since been subjected to hundreds of social media insults. The club decried the focus shifting away from the actual act to unrelated issues.
As the controversy grew, León issued a statement on Monday, denying any wrongdoing and insisting that the contact was purely incidental.
“At no time did I, nor was it my intention, infringe upon the intimacy of my fellow professional Daniela Caracas,” León stated. “As the images show, it was part of a playing action in which she deliberately touches me, and I touch her leg in reaction to the clash, saying: ‘What’s up with you?’”
She further clarified that there was “no contact with her private parts” and certainly no malicious intent, adding that the situation had been blown out of proportion. León also took a stand against the harassment Caracas has faced online, offering her support.
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Espanyol, however, remained firm in their stance, stating that while Caracas initially chose not to react to avoid disciplinary sanctions, she later “became aware of the seriousness of the gesture.” The club called for accountability, emphasizing that such actions “should not go unnoticed.”
Despite the ongoing controversy, Liga F has yet to issue an official statement on the matter. Meanwhile, Barcelona, who secured a 2-0 victory, remain five points clear at the top of the table, while Espanyol sit 13th in the 16-team league.
León, 29, has been a dominant force in Barcelona’s defense, winning five league titles and three Champions Leagues with the club. Caracas, 27, is an established Colombia international and was a key player in her nation’s impressive quarter-final run at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
With tensions rising, all eyes are now on Liga F’s response to the incident, as debates over sportsmanship and player privacy continue to intensify.
