Alvaro Arbeloa receives red card, then Fulham walk off refusing to take part in penalty shootout

Alvaro Arbeloa receives a red card, then Fulham walk off the pitch refusing to take part in a penalty shootout against Malaga.

It was a bizarre end to the 36th edition of the Costa del Sol trophy, playing out a 2-2 draw, Sessegnon put Fulham ahead on 24 minutes, then Chupe levelled Iwobi put Fulham back in front on 57 minutes, then Eneko Jauregi stepped up with that contentious spot kick decision on 90 minutes.

Arbeloa protested the decision and was a shown a red card. Then the Fulham players made their way off the pitch after being told to.

It led to boos and confusion for fans in the stands, before Malaga’s Jauregi grabbed the ball, was joined by a number of his fellow teammates, and scored an open goal.

Arbeloa got a red card I’m crying 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/9Zpm9LXI0X

— sora🌹 (@clm_sora) August 12, 2026

2-2 El Málaga se adjudica el Trofeo Costa del Sol tras negarse el Fulham a tirar los penaltis como protesta a la mano que el árbitro le señaló en contra y acabó en gol malaguista. Eneko Jauregui hizo el “gol” del triunfo pic.twitter.com/Wn5pUOqFWG

— Deportes COPE Málaga (@DeportesCopeMLG) August 12, 2026

Fulham said in a tweet: “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.”

Malaga wrote in their match report: “With regulation time expired, Jauregi scored the equaliser from the penalty spot (2-2, 90’+1).

“Although a penalty shootout was scheduled, Fulham, claiming it was not stipulated in the contract, withdrew from the pitch.

“Málaga CF were thus crowned champions of the 36th Costa del Sol Cervezas Victoria Trophy.”

Y como dice Eneko… pic.twitter.com/6xlEC3mI6U

— Málaga CF (@MalagaCF) August 12, 2026

@extranjeria_clara explained after the game what happened: “It’s bit surreal, isn’t What they from the club, the delegate of the Malaga Club of Football, is that manager of Fulham has said that the penalties were not included in the contract and that they are leaving.”

The Sun meanwhile said “it is understood Fulham were adamant they needed to head straight to the airport and risked mixing their flight back to London if they took part in the penalties.”

🔴 Este ha sido el motivo por el que el Fulham no ha querido disputar, abandonando el partido, la tanda de penaltis para decidir al campeón del Trofeo Costa del Sol Cervezas Victoria

⭐ Ofrecido por: @extranjeria_clara

💻 Más información en https://t.co/XrOoC7il3m#MálagaCF… pic.twitter.com/rQI5tbNLrb

— 101tv.es Málaga (@101tvMalaga) August 12, 2026

Here’s the social media reaction after Alvaro Arbeloa receives a red card, then Fulham walk off refusing to take part in the penalty shootout…

@Louie_JW_: Just isn’t true though is it. Both teams agreed before the game that there wouldn’t be a shootout. It’s just pathetic from Malaga

@cooksbits: So Malaga agreed there wouldn’t be one, then wanted one? Odd… still think Fulham should have just done it though, small risk of injury, good practice for the players & keeps the fans happy?

@Louie_JW_: It was agreed so Fulham could fly home at an earlier time, why would we then ignore that?

@AmbroseBarnaby: So in other words Malaga started all that drama at the end for absolutely no reason very bizarre behaviour by them and very unsportsmanlike and not in the sprit of the game it’s a friendly FFS. Other than that. Great work out lads and some really promising displays 💪

@MoonTerrier: If the fans can turn up to a glorified training match they deserve to be entertained so why not finish with a penalty shootout, miserable fuckers

@Taylorffc0: Fair enough then, why are they kicking up a fuss 🤣

@MarinoRX78: You come to play for a trophy and you don’t know what a draw after 90min means? Not even yourselves believe that.

@ethxn2703: spoke the truth and got sent off 🥴 #FFC

@InfamousPFFC: It was agreed before kick off that there would be no penalty shootout but Málaga threw their toys out of the pram so Fulham were like ” yeah fuck it take your bait trophy”

@zakl99: Tbh the game and occasion was fantastic, but I do think Fulham publicly apologise to Malaga and the Fulham fans who travelled for the confusion and embarrassment. Is a big shame to see the hatred between the fans for literally zero reason.

@ReebokRambles: Just do a penalty shoot out ffs

@Taylorffc0: I mean sure but like could we not have just done the shootout anyway? Seems strange when a trophy is up for grabs for there not to be a winner

@Deanhenwood84: It wasn’t in the contract so apparently we had a flight booked.

@Taylorffc0: Ignoring all the weird post game drama, some concerns but again some positives. Garcia looks good, goals will come. Castagne and berge coming off the back of great world cups both looked excellent. Palacios top top talent + Charles will fit right in #ffc

@nateben767: Impressed by zepa, palacios, Charles, castagne (!!!!) bobb and berge. Disappointed by Kevin and ESR. Furious with Andersen and Leno. Nice touches from Garcia, good weight of pass. Encouraging stuff even if the ref made it about himself at the end #ffc

After Fulham’s game with Malaga last night ended in a 2-2 draw last night, the Spanish club wanted to do a penalty shootout, but Fulham said it wasn’t in the contract so left the field.

So a Malaga took a pen into the empty net and they all celebrated 🤣 pic.twitter.com/aFJ6EMxJMm

— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) August 13, 2026

Hoy, el conocido entrenador Álvaro Arbeloa ha sido expulsado contra el Málaga. Su equipo, el Fulham, se ha negado a jugar la tanda de penaltis debido a que “no estaba en el contrato”. El Málaga ha ganado el torneo de la Costa del Sol tirando los penaltis sin el portero rival. pic.twitter.com/gwNOAwlAGv

— Fonsi Loaiza (@FonsiLoaiza) August 12, 2026