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Gabriel Fernández Arenas, more commonly known as Gabi, has been sucked into a match-fixing scandal dating back to his days playing for Real Zaragoza. The current Atletico Madrid captain was questioned by investigators regarding the part he played in the supposed fixing of a 2011 match between Zaragoza and Levante.
The match in question took place on May 21, 2011. Real Zaragoza had to win in order to avoid relegation, and Gabi was the hero that assured victory, scoring both of Zaragoza’s goals in a 2-1 victory.
Now, over three years later, accusations have risen that the powers-that-be at Real Zaragoza conspired to pay Levante players to throw the match.
Investigators are looking into suggestions that Zaragoza individually deposited 120,000 Euros into 12 of their player’s bank accounts - money that was then supposedly withdrawn from those players accounts in cash, and used to pay off Levante players. It is unknown as of yet whether or not Zaragoza and Levante players made these cash transactions face to face.
Gabi, individually, was questioned on the movement of 85,000 Euros into and out of his account in the days prior to the match. According to Gabi he received 85,000 Euros from Real Zaragoza as a bonus of some sort, then gave back the money he received to Club President Agapito Iglesias because the club was going bankrupt.
Gabi claimed that he was ignorant of what was done with the money, and of any interaction with Levante players. In regards to his part in the scandal, Gabi said, “I did what the club asked me to do.”
This will be a big test for the Spanish FA, as match-fixing is a serious accusation. Gabi could very possibly be banned from soccer for life, and Real Zaragoza and Levante could each face punishment on par with Gabi’s potential lifetime ban.
Despite the seriousness of the matter at hand, Gabi was optimistic that he will play against Valencia on Saturday.
