Costa del Sol chaos: Fulham walk off after penalty dispute
A preseason friendly between Malaga and Fulham ended in drama as the English side left the pitch before a penalty shootout, following an earlier red card for coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / Author: Nick from Bristol, UK
Fulham's preseason preparations took a bizarre turn during their friendly match against Spanish side Malaga. The game, part of the Costa del Sol trophy, ended 2-2 after the hosts equalized in the 90th minute.
Chaos ensued after the final whistle. While tournament organizers insisted on a penalty shootout to decide the trophy winner, the Fulham squad and coaching staff refused to participate and left the pitch entirely. Consequently, Malaga players took penalties against an empty goal to formally claim the trophy.
Tempers had already flared before the end of the game, with new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa receiving a red card for his vocal complaints directed at the officials.
We can confirm that both teams agreed before the match that there would be no penalty shootout in the event of a draw. Fulham
Malaga officials maintained that the shootout was a predetermined part of the competition contract. This unusual incident has left questions regarding the match organization but certainly provided a memorable moment for supporters as both clubs prepare for the upcoming campaign, with Malaga notably gearing up for their return to La Liga.