Levante president will probe match-fixing claims

Madrid, May 3 (IANS):

The president of Spanish football club Levante has promised to carry out a full investigation into allegations of match-fixing following his side’s 0-4 home defeat to Deportivo la Cornua three weeks ago.

The result was a major shock as the Valencia based side, which is sitting in mid-table, capitulated with ease to Deportivo, who at that stage were bottom of the Spanish Primera Liga, reports Xinhua.

The result and the way it came about caused some raised eyebrows and the rumours of match-fixing came to a head when it came to light that Levante midfielder, Jose Barkero, who himself missed a penalty in Levante’ s home defeat to Celta Vigo, another struggling side, had accused some of his companions of not giving their all against Deportivo.

This caused Levante president, Francisco Catalan to publicly discuss the issue and assure the club would help with any investigation.

“After the latest news that has appeared over supposed irregularities in the game against Deportivo, the Levante board of directors has decided to place itself at the disposition of the Football League (LFP), the Association of Spanish Footballers and the RFEF (Spanish Football Federation) to collaborate with any investigation which is either ongoing or which could happen,” assured Catalan.

“We believe in our players, but if that opinion changes, Levante will take the measures which it deems appropriate and any player who has done this will not be able to continue playing in Levante,” he said, adding that something may or may not have happened in the game.