Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera says he has never influenced outcome of football matches after he was named among 41 players, coaches and directors in a match-fixing investigation in Spain.
Prosecutor Alejandro Luzon alleges about €1m was used to pay Levante players to lose their match against Real Zaragoza in May 2011 in a case filed at a court in Valencia on Monday.
Swansea City winger Jefferson Montero is also among those named by the anti-corruption prosecutor.
Responding to the allegation on his Face Book page, Herrera said he “loves football and believe in fair play, both on and off the pitch.”
“I have never had and will never have anything to do with manipulating match results,” he categorically countered.
“If I am ever called to testify in any judicial hearing, I’ll be happy to attend, as my conscience is totally clear.”
Zaragoza have also denied“knowledge” about such incident, stressing the alleged remuneration “would have been conducted for personal or private third parties’ benefit, but never in favour of the club.”
The court document alleges Herrera was one of 10 people who withdrew tens of thousands of Euros funded by Zaragoza in order to pay for bribes.
The Spanish midfielder, 25, left Zaragoza to join Athletic Bilbao in August 2011, before signing for United in the summer.
It is alleged Levante players were paid to lose the match, which Zaragoza needed to win to avoid relegation.
The match eventually ended 2-1 in favour of Zaragoza on May 21, 2011. The Aragon-based outfit avoided the drop that season but were demoted to the Segunda Division two seasons later.
Montero was in the Levante side which conceded defeat. He joined Swansea from Mexican club Monarcas in July. His alleged involvement is not described in the complaint filed by the prosecutor.
Current Atletico Madrid captain Gabi and Zaragoza former coach, Javier Aguirre-now Japan national team coach- are also named in the document.
I hate cheating in soccer,,why would they pay them to loose a match…this is match fixing