Woman Who Was Assaulted by Spanish Footballer Hugo Mallo During 2019 Match Breaks Silence on Incident in Spain, Seeks Justice Not Compensation

A woman who was sexually assaulted by Spanish footballer Hugo Mallo while working as a mascot has recently come forward to share her story.

Incident Details

Carme Coma, known for her role as the mascot Periquita for Espanyol, was groped by Mallo in 2019 when he was with Celta Vigo.

Mallo, now playing for Aris in Greece, has been found guilty of assault.

The judge has fined him £5,100 and ordered him to pay an additional £840 in compensation.

According to the court’s ruling, Mallo reached inside Coma’s mascot costume and touched her chest.

The judge noted that Mallo’s actions were driven by sexual desire and violated Coma’s personal boundaries.

Seeking Justice, Not Compensation

Coma has made it clear that she is not seeking financial compensation but is focused on achieving justice.

She stated, “I did not want any financial compensation, but rather that justice be done.

I have my job, I earn my living honestly, and I didn’t want money but justice.

Women who are victims of abuse often face accusations of being opportunists when they seek justice.”

Mallo’s Response

Mallo has announced his intention to appeal the decision.

He claims that his interaction with the mascots was normal and that he did not know the gender of the person in the costume.

The mascots included both a male and a female parakeet costume, with Coma being in the female role.

Background and Court Ruling

Coma, who had been with Espanyol since 2006, is believed to have left her role in 2021.

The judge at Criminal Court 19 in Barcelona detailed that Mallo acted with the intent of satisfying his sexual desires and undermining Coma’s dignity.

The court’s ruling describes how Mallo reached under Coma’s costume and touched her breasts, prompting her to push him away.

In her victim statement, referred to as “Ana,” Coma described the incident where Mallo grabbed her breasts after reaching under her mascot suit.

Her initial complaint was made to the Catalonian police the day after the incident.