Spanish police probe Samuel Saiz on suspicion of La Liga match-fixing

Spanish police probe Leeds United forward Samuel Saiz on suspicion of La Liga match-fixing as 11 are arrested – including ‘ringleader’ ex-Real Madrid star Raul Bravo

  • Spanish police have reportedly arrested members of a criminal betting ring
  • Samuel Saiz, on loan at Getafe from Leeds, is believed to be under investigation
  • Ex-Real Madrid defender Raul Bravo is alleged to have been the ringleader

Leeds forward Samuel Saiz is currently under investigation in Spain over alleged match fixing in La Liga, according to reports.

A spokesman for Spain’s National Police has confirmed an operation is ‘ongoing’ with former Real Madrid player Raul Bravo also said to have been held.

He has been described as the suspected ringleader of a criminal organisation dedicated to gambling-motivated match-fixing of Spanish first and second division games.

Leeds’ Samuel Saiz is reportedly under investigation over alleged match fixing in La Liga

Former Real Madrid star Raul Bravo is another of the players believed to have been arrested

Although several Spanish papers reported Saiz had been arrested, radio station COPE said it had confirmed he was under investigation but had not been formally arrested.   

The radio station published on its website: ‘Several media have said Samuel Saiz, currently playing at Getafe, had also been arrested.

‘But COPE journalist Gemma Santos has been able to confirm the player has not been arrested.’

Gemma Santos tweeted: ‘That’s correct. Our reporting team have had it confirmed that Samu Saiz is not under arrest.’

Saiz has been on loan at Getafe this season and respected daily newspapers El Mundo and ABC, citing police sources, have also named RC Deportivo de la Coruna player Inigo Lopez and retired footballer Borja Fernandez, who was playing for Real Valladolid when he hung up his boots, as detainees.

El Mundo and ABC, citing police sources, have also named Borja Fernandez as a detainee

Spanish police have arrested several alleged members of the match-fixing scandal

The police operation began at 8.30am and police officers are understood to have searched the HQ of Sociedad Deportiva Huesca, who has just been relegated from La Liga.

The club’s president Augustin Lasaosa has reportedly been arrested. As well as match-fixing, police are expected to accuse at least some of the detainees of money laundering.

Spanish state broadcaster TVE said 11 arrests had taken place so far.

A spokesman for Spain’s National Police said: ‘I can confirm a police operation against match-fixing is ongoing.

‘I cannot confirm any of the names of the detainees that are circulating in the Spanish press at this moment in time.

‘That is because the operation is still ongoing.’   

  • Neymar is STRIPPED of the Brazil captaincy for next month’s… Isco ‘set to become Maurizio Sarri’s first signing as… AC Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso and director Leonardo ‘set to… ‘I am very hopeful that he will come’: Real Madrid president…

Share this article

Source: Read Full Article