An investigation relating to Real Zaragoza’s victory at Levante six years ago in Spain’s second tier has finally been dropped.
Zaragoza’s 2-1 win at the Valencia-based club on 17 April 2011 helped save them from relegation with the match the subject of intense scrutiny from Spain’s anti-corruption authorities.
The investigation implicated 42 people involved from across the two clubs including former Zaragoza midfielder Ander Herrera and Gabi (now at Manchester United and Atletico Madrid, respectively).
A sum just shy of €1m is reported to have been paid for the result with suspicious banking activity detected involving those involved with both clubs.
However, judge Isabel Rodriguez dismissed the case on Tuesday – six years and four months after the event – due to lack of evidence.
"What was the destination of those almost €1m transferred to the accounts of the [Zaragoza] players, sporting director and Coach, which has been accepted by the club's administrators?" judge Rodriguez wrote.
"And what did they do with this money once it had been withdrawn in cash from their accounts? The response must be that the only thing which has been confirmed is that they received it, but not that it was then received by the Levante players."
