:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66940705/1249545780.jpg.0.jpg)
La Liga has said it will take legal action against the man who ran onto the Son Mix pitch last weekend. Wearing an Argentina shirt with Messi’s name on the back, the French Mallorcan posed for a picture using his phone, before being apprehended.
He was not wearing either a mask or gloves and was chased before being caught and escorted away by security.
The game was supposed to be ‘behind closed doors’.
La Liga made their clear intentions known in a statement -
“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. 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.”
The fan claimed he scaled a two-metre high fence to gain access to Mallorca’s stadium.
“I had planned this ever since I knew the match was happening. I wanted a photo with Messi and to meet him because he’s my idol,” he told radio station Cadena Cope.
Clearly such an act is unacceptable, especially during Covid-times, but let’s hope the fan’s over-exuberance is not too severely punished. It’s seems clear he became carried away with the situation and ultimately posed no real threat. Not the point I know, however it’s far from the worst thing that will happen on a football pitch this season.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/20037218/1219666922.jpg.jpg)
Meanwhile Messi himself was in the process of establishing yet another new record. His late goal which capped a 4-0 victory for Barca was his 20th of the season, the twelfth consecutive season the Argentinian has achieved this tally (or greater) and an unprecedented feat in Spanish top flight football.
The victory temporarily took Barca five points clear of title rivals Real Madrid who defeated Eibar 24 hours later to restore a gap of two. Mallorca stay 18th as they continue their dogged fight against relegation.