By David Gold
December 20 – The Sevilla President, Jose Maria del Nido, has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison after being found guilty of involvement in the embezzlement of public funds.
Del Nido has also been ordered to pay the town hall of Marbella €2.7 million (£2.2 million/$3.5 million) after being convicted alongside the town’s formerMayor Julian Munoz and their former urban planning advisor Juan Antonio Roca.
Del Nido has until the end of the week to appeal the sentence, and he was defended by the Sevilla vice-president, Jose Castro, who said: “This is terribly unjust.”
Sevilla has enjoyed the most successful period of its history under del Nido, winning two UEFA Cups, two Copa del Reys, a European Super Cup and also competing in the Champions League.
Marcelino, the coach of the club, who currently sit sixth in La Liga, said: “I am not going to say anything on the subject because it belongs to the personal life of the President, but I do want to show my total and sincere support.
“I hope he continues as Sevilla’s President for a long time and continues to be as successful as he has until now.”
The Marbella City Council was dissolved in 2006 after the scandal involving del Nido was discovered.
Del Nido has been a vocal critic of the current state of television rights in La Liga, and has campaigned for a more equitable deal to prevent Barcelona and Real Madrid’s making the league even more uncompetitive as they have dominated in recent years.
Del Nido earlier this year described La Liga as “Rubbish – the greatest pile of junk in Europe” at the increasing dominance of the big two.
In a statement this evening, Del Nido refused to quit and insisted that he would clear his name: “The news was a ‘slap’ when I found out, but (I have) the ability to stand up and fight for what is right.
“I have the strength to go ahead, prove my innocence and continue as President of Sevilla FC.
“Ninety per cent of my family wants me to go, but I’m one of the best Presidents in the history of the club and therefore must continue.
“The criminal complaint was launched at the best time in the history of Sevilla FC and, so far, I think the balance of my (time) has been very positive despite suffering this prosecution.”
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