Espanyol complain over Mapi Leon's 'unacceptable' gesture

Spanish side Espanyol on Monday accused Barcelona's Mapi Leon of "violating the privacy" of their player Daniela Caracas during a weekend women's league match, calling the gesture "unacceptable".

Clips of the incident on social media show the 29-year-old defender grabbing Caracas' crotch during Sunday's Liga F match and asking her opponent – according to a Spanish media transcriptions of the exchange – if she has a penis.

"Espanyol wish to express our total dissatisfaction and condemnation of the events which took place on Sunday," the club said in a statement.

"This is an action that we consider unacceptable and that should not go unnoticed.

"Although at the time Caracas was unable to react due to the shock of the situation, later, as she came to terms with what had happened, she became aware of the seriousness of the gesture, but chose not to react angrily in order to avoid disciplinary action and damaging the team."

Espanyol said it had offered Caracas, 27, the club's legal team in case the centre-back wishes to take any action against Leon.

The game was goalless at the time of the clash, with league leaders Barcelona, the reigning Spanish and European champions, going on to win 2-0.