A pre-season friendly between Fulham and Spanish side Malaga concluded with significant controversy on Wednesday night, including a penalty awarded and taken into an open goal after Fulham players walked off the pitch.
The match, played at La Rosaleda, ended in a 2-2 draw. However, the proceedings soured after the full-time whistle, which also saw Fulham's new manager, Alvaro Arbeloa, sent off.
Malaga was prepared for a penalty shootout to decide the winner of the Costa del Sol Trophy, as is customary in some friendly formats. But Fulham's players refused to participate, leading to boos from the home crowd and confusion on the field.
In the ensuing situation, a Malaga player, Eneko Jauregi, took a penalty into an empty net. He and his teammates celebrated ironically, joined by some of the 17,179 spectators in attendance.
Fulham later released a statement on X, explaining their decision. The club stated that "prior to the match, both teams agreed that there would not be a penalty shootout in the event of a draw." According to beIN Sports, Fulham also cited potential travel plan disruptions as a reason for not engaging in a shootout.
The match's chaotic ending was compounded by Arbeloa's dismissal. The former Real Madrid player reportedly approached the referee, Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias, after the final whistle to express his dissatisfaction and was shown a red card.
Spanish outlet Marca described the events as a "deplorable act of disrespect and an unprecedented lack of respect." The publication noted Arbeloa's clash with the referee during the break for penalties, leading to his straight red card, and labeled Fulham's subsequent walk-off as one of the most "embarrassing incidents in the history of football in Malaga."
