SEVERAL SPANISH FOOTBALLERS suspected of being part of a gang that fixed matches in the first and second divisions were detained this morning, Spanish media report.
Contacted by AFP, police confirmed an operation was underway but refused to give any more details.
According to several local media, those detained include a former Real Madrid player, suspected of leading the organisation, other footballers or ex-footballers in the first division as well as the president of Huesca, 19th in the table this season.
Suspected of fixing matches, they are accused of belonging to a criminal gang, corruption and money laundering.
La Liga is supporting an investigation that follows on from an official complaint made by the league to the authorities.
“We want to thank the national police for the extraordinary work done to dismantle what appears to be an organised criminal group dedicated to obtaining economic benefits through the predetermination of football matches,” the statement read.
“This police operation goes to show that the systems of protection of integrity implemented by La Liga for five seasons, to protect the cleanliness of all Spanish football competitions, have been effective in detecting and reporting allegedly manipulated football matches; all of which has been able to serve as a base and support for the development of the investigations carried out by the National Police.
“From La Liga we will continue working on prevention, monitoring, research and report any warning about a possible match-fixing.”
Gavan Casey is joined by Murray Kinsella and Sean Farrell for a review of the 2018/19 season, and cast an eye forward to next year and the Rugby World Cup in Japan.:
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