Manchester United star Herrera and Atletico Madrid skipper Gabi named in match fixing scandal

Ander Herrera of Manchester United has been caught up in a match-fixing scandal.

After it was confirmed that Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera and Atletico Madrid captain will be among them who will be investigated for allegedly receiving cash during a La Liga match three years ago, the court has ultimately named both of the two Spaniards and 38 others in its latest filing published on Monday.

Herrera, a then Real Zaragoza player was one of the eight players who were accused of receiving money from then Zaragoza president Iglesias Agapito during Levante’s 1-2 loss to Zaragoza in the 2010-11 season, and then asked to return it to the president in cash who would use to pay off Levante players so as to prevent Zaragoza from relegating.

Atletico Madrid captain Gabi who is also one of the other eight players has been reported to have received €90,000 through two different bank transfers. When asked about the accusation, Gabi said, "I was doing what the club told me."

Japan manager Javier Aguirre who was the manager of Zaragoza has also been named in the case.

According to AS, in the court filing published, anti-corruption prosecutor Alejandro Luzón alleged that the Levante players were paid a total of €965,000 in cash by Agapito to deliberately lose the game.

The anti-corruption judge said, “The president of Zaragoza, Agapito Iglesias, as well as the director of the club, Francisco Javier Porquera, and Francisco Jose Checa, agreed, along with the sporting director of the club, Antonio Prieto, the coach Javier Aguirre and the club captains, Gabi, Ponzio and Jorge Lopez, in representation of and with the consent of the rest of the players to fix the game.”

“To that aim they established they would pay 965,000 euros to the players of Levante for them to allow the Zaragoza team to win the game.”

If found guilty, there is a possibility the accused names could be facing prison time of six months to four years and a ban from football for one to six years. A hefty fine of €5.5 million could also be admissible.

Among the 38 others named in the case:

Defendants Agapito Iglesias, Francisco Javier Porquera (owner), Francisco José Checa (General Secretary in 2011 and now), Antonio Prieto (Sporting director), Javier Aguirre (coach of Zaragoza) and players Maurizio Lanzaro, Doblas, Paulo César da Silva, Jorge López, Braulio, Ponzio, Diogo, Obradovic, Uche, Pinter, Paredes, Leo Franco, Jarosik, Bertolo, Boutahar, Lafita, Pallardó, Munúa, Rodas, Rafa Jordá, Rubén Suárez, Xavi Torres, Stuani, Wellington Alves, Jefferson Montero, Robusté, Javi Venta, Reina, Caicedo, Iborra, Ballesteros, Juanfran and Cerra.

UPDATE: Herrera has come forward and spoken up on the situation, releasing a statement via his official Facebook page.

Post by Ander Herrera.