14.08.2026 09:20
Fulham reacted to a penalty awarded in the 92nd minute in their friendly match against Malaga. With the match level at 2-2 and facing the prospect of missing their return flight if it went to a penalty shootout, the English team left the field. Malaga then took the penalty into an empty net and won the Costa del Sol Cup.
In the 92nd minute of the friendly match between Fulham and Malaga, a penalty was awarded in favor of the Spanish team. The decision caused a strong reaction from the Fulham side. Fulham's head coach, Alvaro Arbeloa, who protested to the referee, was shown a red card. Malaga converted the penalty to make the score 2-2.
FULHAM WITHDREW FROM THE PITCH
After the equalizer, while the possibility of the match going to a penalty shootout was being discussed, Fulham left the field. As Fulham did not participate in the penalty shootout, highly unusual scenes emerged on the pitch.
THEY TOOK THE PENALTY INTO AN EMPTY NET AND CELEBRATED
The Malaga player, left alone on the pitch, took the penalty kick into the empty net. After the ball hit the back of the net, Malaga players and fans celebrated with great joy. Thus, Malaga became the champion of the Costa del Sol Cup without the need for a penalty shootout.
"THEY WOULD HAVE MISSED THEIR FLIGHTS"
Following the events, the reason why Fulham left the pitch was also explained. Officials stated that the penalty shootout was not included in the contract for the match. It was also mentioned that if the penalties had been taken, the Fulham delegation would have missed their return flight.
STRONG REACTION FROM THE SPANISH PRESS TO ARBELOA
Alvaro Arbeloa's decision to withdraw his players from the pitch before the match ended also drew criticism from the Spanish press. According to "Foot Mercato", chants of "Where is Arbeloa? Where is Arbeloa?" rose from the stands. The newspaper "AS" described the incident as "a complete fiasco," while "Marca" assessed it with the words "insult" and "a sad disrespect."