This Barcelona player banned for touching Espanyol defender's private area 'inappropriately' during match

Barcelona Femini defender Mapi Leon has been handed a two-match ban by Liga F for inappropriately touching Espanyol defender Daniela Caracas during the Catalan derby in February. Barcelona Femini, who are four points clear of the second-placed Real Madrid, failed with an appeal over the suspension.

The incident happened 15 minutes after kickoff, reports said. The 29-year-old has denied the allegations, saying there was "no contact with her private parts"." At no time did I, nor was it my intention, infringe upon the intimacy of my fellow professional Daniela Caracas," she added. Leon served the first match ban last weekend against Atletico Madrid and will be absent from Barcelona's upcoming league fixture against Sevilla.

Leon was accused of "violating Caracas' intimacy" on Feb. 10 after appearing to inappropriately touch the Espanyol defender in the genital area while engaging her verbally as they lined up inside the box for a set piece.

Meanwhile, tabloid reports alleged Leon went to the extent of asking Caracas, 'have you got a d***?' after making contact. 

Espanyol had expressed their "total discontent and condemnation" of Leon's actions and backed the Colombian defender. Liga F did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.