Villarreal and Getafe deny match-fixing

Spanish soccer golf equipment Villarreal and Getafe have denied any wrongdoing after nationwide media reported on Friday that police are investigating doable match-fixing in a 2-2 draw between the 2 golf equipment in La Liga final yr.

“Villarreal and its first team wish to show their absolute rejection of the accusations made today and categorically deny being involved in any way in fixing the game against Getafe on the final day of last season,” stated a membership assertion.

“As it has done on repeated occasions, the club condemns any conduct that damages the essence of sport and competition and stresses that the values of transparency, ethics, integrity and fair play are fundamental to its philosophy.”

Getafe additionally launched an announcement saying the membership “wish to categorically deny any involvement with this matter and this type of conduct”.

Newspaper El Pais reported that the match was being checked out as a part of Operation Oikos, which was launched final yr and led to 11 individuals being arrested on suspicion of forming a match-fixing group to revenue from betting on video games.

La Liga confirmed it had opened a confidential file as a part of Operation Oikos however added that particulars of the case wouldn’t be made public till it goes to trial.

The court docket primarily based within the metropolis of Huesca that El Pais stated was investigating the case couldn’t be reached for remark.

“Operation Oikos came about due to an accusation by La Liga, which has joined the case as a private plaintiff, and will take all legal measures necessary to clarify the facts that are under investigation,” La Liga stated in an announcement.

Getafe needed to beat Villarreal to face an opportunity of qualifying for Europe’s elite Champions League membership competitors forward of Valencia. Villarreal had nothing to play for.

Valencia’s 2-Zero win at Real Valladolid on the identical day, nevertheless, meant that within the occasion Getafe couldn’t have certified for the Champions League even when that they had overwhelmed Villarreal.

Five former Osasuna administrators and two former Real Betis gamers got jail sentences final month following an investigation into match-fixing in 2013 and 2014, the primary ever convictions for sporting corruption in Spanish soccer.