By Monica Villar
May 8 – The newly-elected president of the LFP, Javier Tebas has spoken out about recent accusations of match-fixing in the Levante vs Deportivo match, but has said that the allegations are not aimed at the club directly.
The match, played April 13, was apparently under suspicion even before kick off. Reports are that a Levante player called a Deportivo player and asked if Deportivo would pay anything for Levante to win, as Deportivo would be receiving a ‘bonus’ if Levante lost. The Deportivo player reported this conversation to AFE (Spanish Footballer’s Association) who then told the LFP. Because the match is under investigation, no names are being released.
The President of the LFP reportedly called Quico Catalán – Levante’s President – and said that he had reason to believe that the Levante vs Deportivo match could be fixed. Catalán said that Tebas even gave him the name of the suspect, to which the Levante President responded that if it was true, that player would get the sack.
Staff at Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña have been offended by the accusations, with players like captain Manuel Pablo calling the accusations “incredible and untrue” and even hinted that Levante player Barkero should be careful, since people could question the fact that he missed a penalty against Celta.
Deportivo president Augusto César Lendoiro has said he might start legal proceedings against anyone who accuses the club of match-fixing. “The least Barkero could do is apologise to Deportivo.”
Javier Tebas was quick to respond. “Nobody here is accusing Deportivo of any wrong-doing,” he said. He also insisted that “when we talk about match-fixing, it’s not only clubs involved, but things like betting”. Tebas believes that this is the case.
Tebas is disappointed that the investigation has come to light at this time, as he feels this may jeopardise its progress. He said it was revealed in the worst possible way, by accusations between team-mates in the changing room.
Javier Tebas admits that this time there is circumstantial evidence, which must be turned into concrete proof. It was José Javier Barkero who accused his own team-mates of playing a match that was “a lie”. Barkero has subsequently apologised to his team-mates.
When asked about Barkero’s apology, the President said: “How many times has someone declared something, and then back-tracked? He might have been pressured to apologise.” Tebas did say that in the case they do expect to prove that match-fixing exists.
As for Levante, things seem to be going from bad to worse, as another investigation has been opened, this time for their match against Celta, in which Barkero missed a penalty.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734802952labto1734802952ofdlr1734802952owedi1734802952sni@r1734802952alliv1734802952.acin1734802952om1734802952. Monica Villar is news editor of leading Spanish football website www.laliganews.tv