Fulham leave pitch as Malaga take penalty into empty net

What the report says

Fulham’s pre-season friendly against Malaga ended in confusion in southern Spain after the Premier League side left the pitch at full time, while the hosts expected a penalty shootout to decide the Costa del Sol Trophy. The match had finished 2-2, with Malaga’s late equaliser coming from the penalty spot after Calvin Bassey was penalised for handball and Eneko Jauregi converted in the final minute of normal time.

BBC Sport reported that Malaga were ready to continue with a shootout, but Fulham went down the tunnel with their players and staff, apparently believing the game was over. Malaga then proceeded with the planned spot kick into an empty net, with Jauregi scoring before celebrating in front of the home crowd at Estadio La Rosaleda. Malaga manager Alvaro Arbeloa was also sent off after showing his frustration with the referee at full time.

Fulham said on X that both clubs had agreed before kick-off that there would be no shootout if the match ended level. Malaga’s website gave a different account, saying the shootout had been scheduled but Fulham left the field, claiming it had not been included in the contract. The episode matters because it raises questions about pre-match arrangements and how a friendly match was supposed to be decided, with Fulham due to finish pre-season against Stuttgart before their Premier League opener against Chelsea.