Fulham protest during pre-season friendly against Malaga
Premier League side Fulham walked off in protest during their penultimate pre-season friendly against Malaga, concluding the match in a bizarre manner. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, with a contentious penalty awarded right at the finish, reports BritPanorama.
Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa expressed his outrage at the refereeing decision and was subsequently sent off during the confrontation with officials. Fans had anticipated a penalty shootout, a common practice in friendly matches, as the final whistle blew.
After the match, Arbeloa instructed his players to leave the pitch without participating in the shootout, leading to boos from the 17,000-strong crowd. Malaga players proceeded to take penalties into an empty net as Fulham exited.
Fulham clarified on social media that there was no prior agreement for a penalty shootout, stating, “We can confirm that prior to the match, both teams agreed that there would not be a penalty shootout in the event of a draw.” Following the draw, Malaga was awarded the Costa del Sol trophy, while Fulham indicated they had to make their way back to the airport, expediting their departure.
This peculiar incident is not isolated, as similar disruptions occurred earlier in the pre-season. A match between Chelsea and Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim also showcased an unusually aggressive atmosphere, demonstrating that friendlies can sometimes turn contentious.
As the pre-season draws to a close, such incidents remind fans and clubs alike that the line between competitive spirit and friendly play remains remarkably thin in the world of football.
