Mapi Leon Handed Two-Match Ban for Incident with Espanyol Player

Barcelona defender Mapi Leon handed two-match ban for allegedly touching Espanyol player Daniela Caracas inappropriately.

Barcelona defender Mapi Leon has received a two-match ban from Liga F for inappropriately touching Espanyol defender Daniela Caracas during the Catalan derby in February. The incident occurred on February 10th when Leon appeared to touch Caracas in the groin area while the players were lining up for a set piece.

🚨Mapi León has been handed a two-match suspension by the RFEF Disciplinary Committee.

Despite an appeal by both the club and the player to the TAD, the ban remains in place.

- via @MarcAndres95 pic.twitter.com/BPCDLMCj1d

— DAZN Women's Football (@DAZNWFootball) April 13, 2025

The incident sparked controversy, with Leon being accused of “violating Caracas' intimacy.” The ban has been handed down to Leon as a result of her actions, which were deemed unacceptable.

Espanyol expressed their “total discontent and condemnation” of Mapi Leon's actions and backed Colombian defender Daniela Caracas.

Mapi Leon's Response 

Leon, 29, denied the allegations, stating, “At no time did I, nor was it my intention, infringe upon the intimacy of my fellow professional Daniela Caracas.” She added that there was “no contact with her private parts.”

que Rubiales da un pico sin consentimiento: el mayor escarnio deportivo en medios.
que Mapi León le toca el papo a una: naa, dos partidos de sanción para que no se nos note tanto..
le llaman igualdad. pic.twitter.com/RI1tkuU6fc

— 𝐫𝒶𝓕𝔸𝓽ⓡ乇𝐣𝐎 𝐞𝓷 𝕏 (@rafatrejo2025) April 13, 2025

Consequences and Next Match

Leon served the first match of her two-match ban last weekend against Atletico Madrid and will miss Barcelona's upcoming league fixture against Sevilla. Despite Barcelona's appeal, the suspension was upheld.