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Sevilla defender Kike Salas, a Spain under-21 international, is under investigation for allegedly receiving deliberate yellow cards in matches last season as part of a betting scam. If convicted, the 21-year-old faces a prison sentence of six months to three years.
Spanish police are examining a series of suspicious incidents from the final weeks of the 2023/24 season, during which Sevilla had little at stake. The authorities suspect that Salas committed fouls intentionally to benefit his accomplices who were betting on his yellow cards.
The investigation focuses on seven yellow cards that Salas received in the final nine games of the season, representing the majority of his total of ten cautions that season. Suspicions increase due to the timing of several cards: one arrived in the 88th minute and two others in the 94th. Investigators believe that these late reservations were deliberate, allowing at least two accomplices to benefit from bets placed on such events. .
Salas, who joined Sevilla’s youth system at the age of 11 and has made 54 appearances for the club, has denied any wrongdoing. He has represented Spain at under-21 level, making two international appearances and, in December 2024, extended his contract with Sevilla until 2029. However, the allegations have cast a shadow over his career and could implicate other players, as the Spanish authorities have not ruled out broader ones. tangle.
The player has recently renewed his contract with the club for around 360,000 euros per year.
The allegations echo those of West Ham midfielder Lucas Paquetá, who is also under investigation for alleged in-game offences. Paquetá has been accused of deliberately receiving yellow cards in Premier League matches against Leicester City, Aston Villa, Leeds United and Bournemouth between November 2022 and August 2023. Despite a bet being worth just £7, the FA has adopted a strict posture. pressing for the Brazilian to be banned for life.
The FA has previously demonstrated a zero-tolerance policy on gambling offences, notably banning Brentford striker Ivan Toney for eight months after he breached betting rules. The governing body aims to maintain the integrity of the sport, and these cases serve as high-profile examples of the serious consequences players face for any involvement in betting-related misconduct.
Salas now awaits the outcome of the investigation, which could have serious legal and professional repercussions. The case highlights football’s ongoing battle against corruption and the need for vigilance to preserve the fairness of the game.
