The Championship season may be over but this news will certainly interest Leeds United supporters. Spanish forward Samuel Saiz, who's still on the books at Elland Road, has reportedly been detained by Spanish police as part of an alleged match fixing scandal.
Currently on-loan at Getafe, he's one of a number of La Liga and second division footballers who've been arrested over suspicions of forming a criminal organisation dedicated to match fixing. So this is really serious stuff.
Due to the severity of the allegations many are tight lipped on the situation, but Spanish news outlet Lavan Guardia reported this morning that the Leeds forward is one of those who're being questioned by police.
The report also included former Real Madrid defender Raul Bravo (as the head of the organisation) along with Deportivo's Inigo Lopez Monatana (played with Saiz at Huesca 2015-17), former Real Valladolid forward Borja Fernandez, Carlos Galindo Lanuza & Huesca president Agustin Lasaosa.
This is a story that's moving very fast and it came to a head this morning when police raided Huesca's training base, leading to all those currently detained being accused of corruption and money laundering. Should the findings of the polices investigation end up becoming official then it would be incredibly damaging for La Liga's reputation and they've released a statement on the situation, which reads:
"During the 2018/19 season La Liga has filed eight complaints with the general commissioner of the judicial police for alleged acts related to match-fixing in lower divisions of Spanish football and international friendlies played in Spain."
"We have also sent alerts to the general directorate of gaming on 18 football matches for possible identification and sanction of players from lower divisions who could have bet on their competition."
"This police operation demonstrates the effectiveness of integrity protection systems implemented by La Liga to protect the cleanliness of all competitions in Spanish football.
"La Liga continues to fight to eradicate any scourge against fair play in Spanish football."
Saiz is the highest profile name of those currently involved in the investigation and it may not come as too much of a surprise to some Leeds United supporters, who know all too well that he can be a controversial character. Back in January 2018 he was banned for six matches by The FA for spitting during their shock FA Cup defeat to Newport County, an offence he committed earlier on that season against Port Vale in the Carabao Cup.
His return to Spain hasn't gone the way he hoped for a number of reasons. He made 10 appearances for Getafe as they secured a spot in the Europa League, making just two starts and scoring the one goal in the process. So this coupled with the allegations means that his stock isn't the highest at the moment.
He's set to return to Elland Road this summer following the completion of his loan and whilst he is a fantastic talent, it remains to be seen if he has a future under Marcelo Bielsa. Controversy follows him and he made it clearly during the winter transfer window that he wanted to return back to Spain, but whether anyone will take a chance of him should these serious allegations be found to be true is another matter.
Fans of the Whites have had their say on the matter on Twitter, with the majority not keen on the club retaining him despite how gifted he is.
Unpopular opinion:
— Nathan (@NathanLUFC__) May 28, 2019
Although he’s just been done for match fixing, and doesn’t want to play for Leeds, I’d happily take back a player of the quality of Samu Saiz.
Just feel our midfield was too passive at times last year and needs that creativity he can offer.#LUFC #MOT #Leeds
