La Liga seeks criminal action against ‘invading’ Messi fan

MALLORCA: La Liga said it is filing for criminal action against the man who ran on to the pitch during Real Mallorca’s behindclosed-doors match against Barcelona on Saturday to try to get a photo with Lionel Messi.

Clad in an Argentina shirt and holding his phone, the fan calmly walked on to the pitch early in the second half and defied the league’s social distancing regulations by approaching Barca defender Jordi Alba before heading towards Messi. He was tackled by security guards before he could make any contact with the six-time world player of the year, however.

A statement from La Liga on Sunday said the man accessed the pitch “without any authorisation and disobeying the protocols established by health legislation, as well as disobeying the orders of security staff. La Liga also wishes to show its absolute condemnation for this type of conduct that puts the health of others at risk and risks damaging the integrity of the competition.”

The fan, a French Mallorca resident, spoke to Spanish radio station Cadena Cope after being ejected by security personnel and police, revealing that he had scaled a two-metre fence to access the 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 said.

“I got a photo but it wasn’t a very good one and the police made me delete it. I stopped with Jordi Alba to tell him I was going for Messi. It was a nice experience,” he added.