Spanish police briefly detained and later released Sevilla defender Kike Salas on suspicion of alleged illegal betting practices.
Recall that the Police have been investigating Salas after a series of yellow cards that have aroused suspicion.
According to Spanish outlet El Confidencial who first reported the arrest, the 22-year-old Spaniard is under investigation for deliberately seeking to receive bookings during several LaLiga matches in the 2023-24 season.
Salas has been booked 3 times in 14 La Liga appearances this season, but after he received 7 yellow cards in 9 games in the final quarter of last season, suspicion was aroused.
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Sevilla officials told Reuters they were still “gathering information” about the situation. Police officers detained Salas on the club’s premises after training and he was released after being questioned. He could face up to three years in prison for fraud.
LaLiga told Reuters they would ask to join the prosecution as a damaged party if the investigation were to lead to a lawsuit.
“Every year, LaLiga provides players with compulsory integrity workshops, in which they are explained and informed about these issues, so that they are very clear about what they can and cannot do,” LaLiga said.
