Passerby touches Spanish journalist's bottom sparking fury as police make arrest

14 September 2023 , 10:14

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The Spanish reporter was speaking live on air when the incident happened

Fury has erupted over a clip of a passer-by appearing to sexually assault a TV reporter live on air.

Isa Balado was talking to the camera on a street in Madrid when the man casually walked up behind her and touched her bottom before asking her what channel she was working for. The journalist tried to continue with her report but the shocked programme host on the channel Cuatro, Nacho Abad, jumped in.

He said: “Did he just touch your bottom?” When she replied yes, Mr Abad said: "Put this idiot on." There was a brief exchange between the reporter and the man who tried to deny he had grabbed her, before he reached out again, this time touching her hair, and walking off.

The TV host said he couldn’t believe what he was seeing and when Ms Balado apologised, he replied: "No you have nothing to feel sorry for." Police have since arrested a 25-year-old man on suspicion of sexual assault, who has been released under investigation.

The Madrid magistrate ruled that it was not a “situation of risk, urgency or violence and neither intimidation against the victim from what can be seen so far from the facts”.

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On social media there was anger at what happened and led to politicians speaking out. "Touching without consent is sexual violence and we say enough to impunity," tweeted Equality Minister Irene Montero. While Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz wrote: "Machismo is what leads to journalists having to suffer sexual assaults like this and leaves aggressors unrepentant in front of the camera."

Isa Balado then confronted the man afterwards

Spain’s attitude towards sexual harassment has been in the headlines in the country in recent weeks, since ex-Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after the country won the Women’s World Cup. Rubiales was suspended and then finally after immense pressure he resigned.

“After my swift suspension by FIFA, and the rest of the cases building against me, it is clear that I cannot return to the post,” Rubiales said on Sunday in a message posted on Twitter. He had already been temporarily suspended from his job by FIFA for his conduct at the final and, after soccer’s world body opened a disciplinary case, remained defiant and hostile toward those who criticised him.

Then came the most serious threat yet to Rubiales, when Spanish state prosecutors accused him on Friday of sexual assault and coercion after the kiss, two days after Hermoso formally accused him.

Tim Hanlon