Spanish police have launched an investigation into Sevilla defender, Kike Salas, over allegations of match-fixing.
The 22-year-old footballer is suspected of deliberately collecting yellow cards to help his friends win bets.
According to reports, two of Kike’s friends placed a bet of 10,000 euros, approximately 17 million naira, on the player receiving yellow cards in certain matches.
The investigation revealed that Kike received 10 yellow cards throughout the last season, with 7 of them coming in the last 9 matches.
The police found suspicious patterns in the timing of Kike’s yellow cards, including receiving cards towards the end of the first half or in the final minutes of the match.
The investigation also discovered that Kike’s friends placed their bets in the same month that the player received the yellow cards.
Kike has been summoned by the police to explain his actions but has so far remained silent.
If found guilty, he faces a ban of up to 6 years from football and a fine of up to 30,000 euros, approximately 50 million naira.
His friends have also been arrested and are cooperating with the investigation.
