January 17 – A new Spanish football anti-corruption unit has been set up to try to combat the scourge of match-fixing and illegal betting. Manuel Quintanar (pictured), director general of the so-called integrity department at the Spanish league, says those found guilty should be given far stronger sentences.
“We need to make everyone aware, starting with the judiciary, of this issue. The police already can work with what is laid down in the penal code which offers very strong sanctions,” he said.
“We need to have zero tolerance with fraud in sport and my job is to inform and ensure that measures are taken quickly at each step. The machinery needs to be well oiled so that at any hint of a crime we can act.”
Last year Spanish league president Javier Tebas revealed that at least eight matches in Spain’s top two divisions could be fixed each season and called for lifetime bans for those involved.
“If we do not eradicate now, it will become like the Wild West with no laws, no control,” he said.
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