On Monday footage began to circulate on social media that appeared to show the Barcelona defender Mapi León inappropriately touching the crotch of the Espanyol defender Daniela Caracas during Sunday’s Liga F match. León then appears to say something to her opponent. It then spiralled out of control.
León was condemned for her perceived actions by some and a torrent of horrific online abuse was aimed at Caracas followed by others. Espanyol released a statement shortly after the footage began to circulate and gain traction expressing their “complete discontent and condemnation” of what they described as an “unacceptable” incident. The club said the incident should “not be overlooked” and that they would make their legal services available to the Colombia international should she wish to take legal action.
León responded by denying any wrongdoing. “As the images show, it was part of a playing action in which she deliberately touches me and I touch her leg saying in reaction to the clash: ‘what’s up with you’,” she said. “There is NO contact with her private parts, and certainly no intention. I insist, it was just part of the game that does not warrant the importance that has been attached to it.
“The idea of touching the private parts of a colleague would never enter my head, it goes against my principles and I would never do such a thing.” She added: “I condemn the harassment that Daniela appears to have been suffering on social networks, which has nothing to do with me, and I offer her my most sincere support.”
Espanyol’s head of women’s football, Dolors Ribalta, subsequently said in an interview on the radio show El Partidazo de Cope that León had not been in contact with the club or Caracas, who is in shock, adding that León’s “statement has come out too late” and that “it is a very clear image”.
The club have left the decision on what, if any further action will be taken in the hands of Caracas. Regardless of what happens next, the online abuse faced by Caracas has been a damning indictment of a rapidly changing women’s football landscape.
Online abuse is becoming an increasingly familiar problem. The digital harassment of the player came days after Khadija Shaw faced racist and misogynistic abuse following Manchester City’s 4-3 loss to Arsenal. Barbra Banda faced unfounded speculation over her gender and a torrent of misogynistic and transphobic abuse after she won the BBC women’s football of the year award for 2024. Lauren James has spoken about the impact of the racist abuse she has received online several times. Is it a coincidence that all these players are black? Unlikely, and that is an issue that needs further discussion, alongside the question of how we protect Caracas and players suffering similarly.
Women’s football has a duty of care to protect players from hate-fuelled abuse and clubs and governing bodies at all levels must urgently explore how they do that, while acting on combating the root causes of views that spawn it. Lip service is not enough.
The reality is that as women’s football grows and becomes more mainstream, increasingly the multifaceted elements of society will become part of its ecosystem. Football doesn’t exist in a bubble, it exists within the context of the world we live in, encompassing all its ills as well as positive elements.
For a long time, women’s football has been able to exist in somewhat of a bubble audience-wise. Why? Simply, because it took a certain level of political liberalism or progressiveness to buck the trend and back women playing football. In that climate, those responsible for the game could get away with a lack of a plan for tackling online abuse and its causes and be solely reactive to isolated incidents that occurred.
However, the climate has changed and it’s time to get on the front foot and be proactive. Enough is enough.
Talking points
No upsets in the cup: The lack of giantkilling results in the Women’s FA Cup continued at the weekend. Since the WSL’s inception in 2011, no top-flight side has been knocked out by any club plying their trade in tier three or below and this season is no exception, despite Rugby Borough giving Liverpool a run for their money on Sunday. No WSL teams have been knocked out by even a Championship side this season, nor last season, and in this season’s fifth round the only team to eliminate a team currently sitting higher than themselves in the pyramid were Aston Villa, who were 3-2 winners at home to fellow-WSL side Brighton.
Draws favours big guns: That wait for the fabled “magic of the cup” could continue further after the current top four in the WSL all received home ties for the quarter-finals when the draw was conducted on Tuesday. The record 14-time winners Arsenal will host Liverpool, while Chelsea face Crystal Palace, Manchester City will welcome Aston Villa and the holders, Manchester United, will play at home against the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, the Championship club Sunderland. Those ties will be played on the weekend of 8-9 March.
Hey, big spenders: It has been revealed by Fifa that English women’s clubs spent a total of $2.3m (£1.85m) on transfer fees in the recent January window, making up two-fifths of the total spending last month in the women’s game around the world. Globally, $5.8m was spent on women’s transfer fees across 455 international transfers. Chelsea spent more than any other club, including adding Naomi Girma for what is understood was a world-record $1.1m fee, as well as Keira Walsh for approximately €550,000.
Quote of the week
While I apologise for expressing myself poorly on what was a traumatic evening, I have always maintained that I did not intend to insult or harm anyone and I am thankful that the jury unanimously agreed. I would like to thank my partner, Kristie, my family, friends and all the fans for their love and support, especially those who attended court each day. I am fully focused on getting back on to the pitch and look forward to an exciting year ahead for me and my family” – Sam Kerr, after being found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment.
Recommended listening
Faye Carruthers is joined by Suzy Wrack, Sophie Downey and Sanny Rudravajhala to discuss Bunny Shaw abuse fallout, Chelsea and City’s League Cup final showdown, and a dramatic FA Cup weekend. Listen here.
Recommended viewing
Jenna Dear’s " target="_blank" class="link"> eye-catching half-volley sent Sunderland on their way to a 2-0 away victory at fellow Championship side Portsmouth in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Still want more?
As any woman in the back of a locked taxi knows, Sam Kerr should never have been brought to court. By Suzanne Wrack.
Talking points from the FA Cup weekend, including one quadruple bid that did manage to stay on track.
And Suzanne also breaks down the Champions League quarter-final match-ups.
