Sevilla defender Kike Salas ‘arrested for deliberately getting yellow cards’ and risks up to THREE YEARS in prison
SEVILLA star Kike Salas faces three years in prison after being arrested for allegedly picking up deliberate yellow cards in matches.
The Spain Under-21s defender, 22, is under investigation for his conduct late in the 2023-24 season, according to respected Spanish outlet El Confidencial.
Legal sources tell El Confidencial that Salas intentionally got himself booked in a number of matches to allow at least two accomplices to make money off his actions through betting.
A court in the southern Spanish city of Seville is now looking into the allegations – and refuse to rule out the prospect of other players in his circle being involved.
Spanish cops are focusing their investigation on a number of matches from the final few weeks of last season – when Sevilla had nothing to play for after a wildly mediocre season.
Salas was booked ten times in total last season – with SEVEN of those coming in the final nine games of the season, with the defender missing one of those through suspension.
Three of those last seven cards came very late in the game – in the 88th minute and 94th-minute (twice) – as Sevilla finished the season a desperately disappointing 14th place having lost their final four matches.
Authorities are working on the suspicion a number of the yellow cards where deliberate so that Salas friends could cash-in after placing a serious of specific bets.
If found guilty, Salas faces a prison sentence of anywhere between six months and three years.
Salas – who joined Sevilla aged 11 – has played 54 times for Sevilla and earned two international U21s caps, while only extending his contract at the Spanish giants in December 2024, which will see him stay at the club until the end of the 2028-29 season.
The accusations are similar to those faced by West Ham star Lucas Paqueta – who risks being banned from playing for life.
The Brazilian was originally accused of being deliberately booked in Premier League games against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth between November 2022 and August 2023.
In addition, the 27-year-old was charged with two breaches of FA Rule F3, which relate to his mobile phone.
Earlier this season, SunSport revealed that Paqueta’s hearing is expected to take place in March, although a verdict is unlikely to be reached until the summer — so he is free to play for the rest of the season.
The FA are pushing for Paqueta to be banned for life, despite one of the bets placed on him worth just £7.
Around 60 people in Brazil wagered bets on the Irons star to be booked in the relevant games, with the stakes ranging from £7 to £400, leading to combined winnings of £100,000.
The FOUR games Paqueta has been charged for
LUCAS PAQUETA has been charged by the FA over four specific games...
FIRST INCIDENT – West Ham 0-2 Leicester, 60th minute
The Brazilian was booked for lunging into Leicester’s Boubakary Soumare from behind.
After initially playing the advantage, referee Jarred Gillett eventually pulled it back and brandished the yellow.
SECOND INCIDENT – West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa, 70th minute
Four months later against Aston Villa Paqueta slid into John McGinn inside the centre circle, completely missing the ball and instead catching his legs.
THIRD INCIDENT – West Ham 3-1 Leeds, 65th minute
At the end of the 2022-23 campaign against Leeds at the London Stadium Paqueta tripped Crysencio Summerville from behind.
The foul prevented the visitors from breaking on the counter attack.
FOURTH INCIDENT – Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham, 93rd minute
With just a few minutes remaining on the opening day of the season, Paqueta jumped up for an aerial challenge but instead handled the ball.
The referee, who was standing directly in front of him, was quick to brandish the yellow.