Being a mascot for a sports team is often an underappreciated job, requiring long hours in an uncomfortable costume, all while maintaining an upbeat persona. Unfortunately, mascots also sometimes face disrespectful behavior from players and fans alike. Such was the case for a woman dressed as Perica, the mascot of Spanish soccer team Espanyol, who was inappropriately groped by a player—an act that has now led to significant legal consequences.
Hugo Mallo, a 33-year-old soccer defender who currently plays for Aris Thessaloniki FC in Greece, has been fined for his actions. While Mallo is now part of the Greek Super League, he spent most of his career playing for Celta Vigo, a team in Spain’s La Liga. Mallo made his professional debut with Celta Vigo in 2009 and became a key figure in the club over the years, even serving as team captain. On April 24, 2019, Celta Vigo traveled to Catalonia to play Espanyol, a team known for its mascots, Perico and Perica, a pair of parakeets who represent the club.
According to reports from Diario AS, the incident occurred during the pregame handshake line, a traditional routine before soccer matches. As Mallo approached the mascot Perica, a woman wearing the costume later identified only as “Ana” accused Mallo of grabbing her breasts. The woman, stunned by the encounter, filed a formal complaint accusing Mallo of sexual assault.
Initially, the case was dismissed, with Mallo asserting that he had no knowledge of the gender of the person inside the costume. He denied any wrongdoing, claiming that whatever contact occurred was unintentional. However, Ana was not satisfied with the dismissal and appealed the decision. The appeal led to a new trial, where the court determined there was enough evidence to proceed with charges of sexual abuse against Mallo.
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After years of legal proceedings, the case finally reached a conclusion. According to The Guardian, a Spanish judge ruled in Ana’s favor, ordering Mallo to pay a fine of €6,000 (approximately $6,220) for the act of sexual abuse. Additionally, Mallo was required to pay €1,000 (about $1,100) in interest and cover the legal fees associated with the case.
In response to the ruling, Mallo took to Instagram to express his disagreement. He pledged to appeal the court’s decision and posted a video he claimed would prove his innocence. However, the video, according to sources, does not provide a clear angle of what happened during the interaction, making it difficult to verify his version of events.
Despite Mallo’s intentions to appeal, the ruling marks a significant moment in the case, holding him accountable for his actions.
The incident has sparked discussions about the treatment of mascots and the importance of respecting individuals regardless of their role or the anonymity provided by a costume. For Ana, the court’s ruling may provide some measure of justice after years of navigating the legal system.
As the case continues to unfold with Mallo’s appeal, it serves as a reminder that inappropriate behavior, even in the often overlooked space of mascot interactions, can have serious consequences.
