Messy in Mallorca: pitch invader to face criminal proceedings

June 15 – La Liga are to launch criminal proceedings against a pitch invader during Barcelona’s match at Real Mallorca on Saturday that was supposed to be behind closed doors.

In the 52nd minute of Barca’s 4-0 win, a man wearing an Argentina shirt with Lionel Messi’s name on the back entered the pitch and posed for a picture on his phone.

The fan claims he scaled a two-metre high fence to gain access to Mallorca’s stadium. He was not wearing either a protective mask or gloves and was chased and grabbed by security staff.

La Liga has imposed strict a medical protocol for matches which resumed last week. Fewer than 300 people are allowed into stadiums.

“La Liga will file criminal actions against the invader who entered the pitch without permission and broke the protocols established in current health legislation and disobeyed the orders of private security personnel,” a statement said. “His actions constitute a crime.”

“La Liga wants to express its absolute condemnation of this type of conduct that jeopardises the health of others and the integrity of the competition.”

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