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Spanish Footballer Hugo Mallo Found Guilty Of Sexual Assault

Spanish footballer Hugo Mallo has been found guilty of sexual assault after he groped the woman who worked as Espanyol’s mascot Periquita in 2019.

The defender – who now plays for Super League Greece club Aris – was previously due to appear in court at Barcelona’s Ciutat de la Justicia last year, but the case was postponed and now enters its fifth year after the charge was first brought against Mallo.

The incident took place in April 2019, when Celta Vigo travelled to Catalonia to face the Periquitos at their Stage Front Stadium, and footage appears to show the former captain – who was leading his players out onto the pitch – linger in a seemingly tight embrace with the mascot.

The victim first testified in June of that year, with Mallo offering his own testimony a few days later in July 2019 – where he made a request for the case to be thrown out, which was rejected.

Now, he has been found guilty of the assult, with the judge, via AS, deciding that compensation to the victim would be around £844 plus interest, as well as around £8.44 a day for 20 months, totalling just over £5,000 more.

Mallo will also pay procedural costs, and the minimum sentence of 18 months was not imposed becuase there was no act of contrition or repentance by the accused towards the victim.

The 33-year-old had denied the accusations, and he and his representatives could appeal the conviction.

In her victim statement, the individual (who is referred to as ‘Ana’ but has upheld her right to anonymity) said that Mallo had ‘grabbed her breasts’ after reaching under her mascot suit.

‘When Hugo Mallo arrived (to greet) the mascots, he gave his hand to the (male) parakeet (Periquito) as is usually done, but when he reached Ms. Ana, who at that time was playing the role of the (female) parakeet, he introduced his hands under the costume and touched her breasts,’ stated the victim’s initial complaint to the Catalonian police, Mossos d’Esquadra – made the day after the fixture in question.

‘According to the declarant, he grabbed her breasts with his hands and began to make movements.’

The case was first deemed to constitute sexual assault in May 2021, further to an intervention by the Ninth Section of the Provincial Court of Barcelona, with a judge stressing that the footage made it clear that ‘something was happening’ with Periquita.

‘Although it seems to occur quickly, it lasts longer than the rest of the greetings made previously to the mascot, so we do see that something is happening with the mascot (Periquita) and the player, since the mascot moves, (she) takes away (her) hand from the player and stands behind the male mascot,’ the judge told the court.

‘And we can see from the position of the player that he may have incurred said touches.’

The victim is believed to have given up her role at the club in 2021, having previously worked as Periquita since 2006.

The judge at Criminal Court 19 in Barcelona ruled: ‘The accused, with the intention of satisfying his libidinous desire and of undermining the sexual indemnity of the same, put his hands under the costume and touched her breasts, forcing Ana to step back and push the accused away with her right hand.

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Southwest Zonal Eliminations: Lagos Records Big Wins In Handball, Hockey, Football, Basketball

Lagos handball teams delivered impressive wins against Oyo State on day one of the South-West Zonal Eliminations of the National Sports Festival, holding in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The men’s team eased to a commanding 40-14 victory before the women’s team secured 23-15 victory at the handball court of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Akanran.

In Basketball, Lagos women’s team defeated Ondo 47-39 after a show of resilience, commitment and determination in their first match. Their second match is against Oyo State on Wednesday (today).

Lagos hockey team also recorded wins in their games. The women’s team thrashed Oyo 3-0, while the men’s team lone goal was enough to secure three points against Ekiti.

In beach volleyball, Lagos proved the level of their performance and conveniently dispatched Oyo 2-0. In football, Lagos female team defeated Oyo 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Bada Mistura in a game played inside the main bowl of the Liberty Stadium. The male team were later forced to a 1-1 draw against Ekiti

Speaking on the first day of the South-West Zonal Elimination Ball Games, the Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu noted that the athletes have demonstrated exceptional capacity and dominance over their opponents.

“So, I think it’s a good one for Lagos state.It is the first day of the zonal elimination qualifiers. With what we have experienced today in terms of the outcomes from the different Games. We are very optimistic and positive that at the end of the day we’re going to come victorious overall.”

Fatodu added that the performance of the state athletes in their different games has been thrilling and exciting, especially with the presence of personnel of the Lagos State Sports Commission, serving as a morale booster and source of encouragement to keep soaring high.

“With what is playing out, it’s going to yield a positive results. From what we have gathered today, they are particularly appreciative and they have confide that our presence means so much to them in terms of their mental positivity, approach towards the Games and in terms of their attitude on the field of play. It is expected that it will yield positive results for us”, Fatodu submitted.

The Director General further reiterated that, “We are not in any way in doubt that our athletes will show very, very well. Because of the fact that all the necessary things that they need to do well have been provided by Mr.Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. We need to thank Mr. Governor for his commitment and always supporting sports in terms of logistics, welfare, transportation, feeding, and security. Everything is top-notch”.

Team Lagos will continue to bank on the records of dominance at the South-West as the qualifiers inch towards its conclusion, with the chance to secure slots for all ball games at the 22nd National Sports Festival – the ‘Gateway Games’ billed for Abeokuta, Ogun State in May.

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Elo Akose, NDSF logo designer celebrates his emergence

Elo Akose, the winner of the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) logo design competition, has expressed delight to see his work gaining national traction through extensive media campaign as preparations for the festival heightens.

Akose, who received a reward of N250,000 prize money, commended the organisers of the contest for providing a platform for youths to showcase their artistic talents in design.

Akose’s entry emerged the best from over 300 others that were submitted to a panel of judges set up by the project consultants, Dunamis Icon, weeks ago. The design has since been officially put to use.

“I counted myself lucky to have had my entry selected from the over 300 submitted by other contestants and would like to thank the organisers of the Niger Delta Sports Festival for the opportunity given to all of us, the contestants to be part of this project,” Akose told NDSF Media.

Akose works with Smax Digital Prints and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education (Economics) from the Delta State University.

The NDSF, the first intervention of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as part of its 25th anniversary, will hold in Akwa Ibom State from April 1 to 9. Over 3,000 athletes are expected to participate in 17 sports.