A scandal in Malaga has once again raised concerns about the safety of children in sports clubs. The spotlight is on a youth football coach who was arrested on suspicion of committing sexual offenses against minors. The case has sparked widespread public outcry and called into question the oversight of personnel working with children.
A 55-year-old man was detained after the parents of one of the boys found messages on their son’s phone that alarmed them. The correspondence with the coach showed an unusually close and emotional tone. The family immediately contacted the police, which became the starting point for the investigation.
Investigation and initial findings
During the investigation, it was revealed that the suspect may have committed sexual acts against two minors and showed pornographic material to a third child. All three victims were members of the same football club and trusted their coach. Investigators note that the coach not only communicated with the children outside of training but also gave them gifts, which may have contributed to establishing a relationship of trust.
The club where the detainee worked, Club Deportivo Conejito de Málaga, stated that it was unaware of the situation until the arrest took place. Management expressed support for the families and players involved and emphasized their willingness to cooperate with law enforcement agencies. In its statement, the club noted that they are fully open to working with the police and called on the public to handle the topic with sensitivity.
Further police actions
Experts are now thoroughly analyzing the mobile devices of the detainee and the affected children. The goal is to establish all the facts and identify any possible additional incidents. Investigators do not rule out that more complaints could emerge from other families. In the near future, the suspect will be handed over to the court, where he will be formally charged on several counts.
Authorities stress that such cases require special attention and swift response from both parents and educators. It is important not only to recognize warning signs but also to seek help promptly. Malaga and other cities in the country have already recorded several incidents involving the violation of minors’ rights in sports teams.
Public reaction and consequences
The public in Málaga and all of Andalusia is actively discussing the incident. Parents are demanding stricter control over personnel working with children, as well as the implementation of additional security measures in sports organizations. On social media, calls are being made for transparency and accountability from clubs and federations.
In recent years, Spain has seen an increase in cases where coaches or other adults with access to children have become subjects of criminal investigations. Notably, a coach was recently detained in Terrassa, suspected of extorting intimate videos from minors. In Málaga and Huelva, convictions have also been handed down in cases related to sexual offenses in the sports environment.
Experts point out that such incidents undermine trust in sports organizations and call for systemic changes. Authorities and social institutions are developing new employee screening protocols and intensifying preventive efforts with children and parents. The issue of protecting minors remains one of the top priorities for Spanish society.
