On January 14, police apprehended Salas and two others on suspicion of intentionally receiving yellow cards during matches to enhance unlawful betting earnings.
Spanish authorities are investigating reports that Sevilla FC’s 22-year-old defender Kike Salas was involved in a sports betting scam.
Kike Salas and two others are detained over an alleged yellow card betting scheme
Salas and two other individuals were detained by police on January 14. They think he received yellow cards in games to assist individuals in making money through unlawful betting.
The police released all three without prosecuting them, but the investigation is still ongoing, according to The Guardian.
The investigation began in December 2024, when Spain’s Public Prosecutor’s Office noticed unusual betting patterns. According to reports, two of Salas’ friends placed over 30 bets on his yellow cards during games, winning approximately €10,000 ($10,283). These wagers were reportedly placed at various bookies in Morón de la Frontera, where Salas grew up.
Salas’ performance in the previous season piqued people’s interest at the end of La Liga. He had seven yellow cards in his last nine games. This occurred when Sevilla was secure from relegation, therefore their games were not as important.
See also:
- Geolocation Data Show Sports Betting Demand in Banned States
- Dutch Regulator Fines Winning Poker Network $1.34M
- Esportes da Sorte Gets Nationwide Authorization in Brazil
He frequently received these cards late in games, with three occurring between the 88th and 94th minutes. Initially, no one observed these instances. The majority of the cards were for fouls, with one being issued for a brawl with another player.
Kike Salas Faces Potential Jail Time, Fines, and Ban Over Betting Scandal.
If found guilty, Salas may face harsh punishment. These include jail term of six months to three years, fines ranging from €3,006 ($3,092) to €30,051 ($30,906), and a five-year soccer ban.
La Liga intends to join the legal action and emphasizes its commitment to keeping the sport clean. The league employs cutting-edge technology to monitor bets and educate players about the dangers of rigging matches.
Sevilla FC said it will respect the legal process and consider Salas innocent unless proven guilty. They continue to speak out against any form of cheating in sports.
Even with the continuing investigation, Salas returned to practice on January 15. The club has not taken any action to penalize him yet.
The situation calls to mind similar allegations against West Ham player Lucas Paquetá, who is also being investigated for alleged betting-related misconduct.
If found guilty, both players may face severe penalties that might terminate their careers.
Salas has been a Sevilla player since the age of 11, and he just signed a new deal with the club that would continue until 2029.
Join us on all our social channels and groups
Gameongazette is present on: