Out of favour Super Eagles’ striker, Ikechukwu Uche has been linked with match-fixing scandal in Spain.
Uche and 19 other players who took part in Levante and Real Zaragoza tie on May 21st 2011 were summoned by the Spanish prosecuting attorney of the Anti-Corruption to defend the allegations leveled against them.
Although, it is not certain if the Nigerian star was indicted however some of the summoned players have already been accused of illegal activity ranging from game-rigging and illegal betting acts.
On 21st May 2011, Zaragoza played away at Levante’s ground, in need of winning all three points to avoid going down to Spain’s second division.
The match ended with the visitors winning 2-1.
On the match day, Levante played Munua, Javi Venta, Roda, Ballesteros, Cerra, Pallardo, Torres, Montero, Munoz, Ruben and Stuani. The team’s subs were Reina, Robuste, Jorda, Iborra, Juanfran, Caicedo and Wellington Silva. Pedro Rostoll was the manager.
Zaragoza, meanwhile was made up of Leo Franco, Diogo, Da Silva, Jarosik, Paredes, Ponzio, Lafita, Ander Herrera, Gabi, Boutahar and Uche. On the bench were Doblas, Jorge Lopez, Lanzaro, Bertolo, Pinter, Obradovic and Braulio. Javier Aguirre was the team’s manager.
Zaragoza have denied knowledge of any shady goings-on in relation to their crucial final-day clash against Levante in the 2010-11 season, which is being investigated over alleged match-fixing.
“Following the reports that have emerged regarding the ongoing investigation into the Levante-Real Zaragoza match played on 21st May 2011, Real Zaragoza would like to communicate that it has absolutely no knowledge of anything connected to the allegations.
“The Club is at the Ministry of Justice’s disposal and will cooperate with any requests made”, the statement reads.
Levante’s veteran defender Juanfran García has admitted to being one of the players summoned, but nonchalantly claimed that the fixture being probed had been totally “normal”.
“I think we’re all very relaxed about it because it’s all water under the bridge. Like we’ve said before on several occasions, our conscience is very clear”, the full-back stated. “I’ll go and testify, simple as that”, he added, noting that he will answer any questions he is asked.
Ik Uche has since left Zaragoza for his present club, Villarreal which is also a Spanish side.
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