Spanish soccer player to go on trial accused of inappropriately touching a mascot before a game

By TALES AZZONI
AP Sports Writer

MADRID (AP) — Court officials say Spanish soccer player Hugo Mallo will go on trial after being accused of inappropriately touching a mascot before a game in 2019. Mallo denies wrongdoing. He was with Celta Vigo when the alleged incident happened before a league match against Espanyol. The 32-year-old Mallo currently plays for Brazilian club Internacional. Mallo allegedly touched the breasts of the woman who was wearing Espanyol’s parakeet costume while players lined up before kickoff. The case was initially dismissed but that decision was overturned on appeal. Mallo says he also appealed because the dismissal only said there wasn’t enough evidence. He wants to be fully exonerated.