In a shocking turn of events, Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has been named in an alleged case of match fixing. According to reports in British media Outlet DAILY STAR, it is claimed that a match between Levante and Real Zaragoza in 2011 was fixed. There have been claims that Herrera along with Japan boss Javier Aguirre and Atletico Madrid captain Gabi are also allegedly involved in the incident.
The report states that Aguirre was the coach of Zaragoza at the time of the match, which was being played on the final day of the campaign. Herrera and Gabi were both playing for Zaragoza helped their team to a 2-1 win thus avoiding relegation. However, reports erupted when the Spanish prosecutor’s office today filed charges with a Valencia court alleging the Levante players were paid to lose.
Reports from the Guardian have also claimed that Herrera is one among the 41 other people, who have been named in the incident.
Former Zaragoza president Agapito Iglesias and the club were also named as defendants, along with the rest of the players from both teams. It is believed that the Levante players were paid a total of €965,000 (£766,000) in cash to deliberately lose the game. Zaragoza had first made bank transfers to its players and officials, including Aguirre, Herrera and Gabi.
They then took the money out of their bank accounts and gave it to the opposition players. The judge overseeing the case will now rule on whether to proceed with prosecution.