Villarreal, Getafe strongly deny roles in match-fixing scandal

Villarreal and Getafe both refuted match-fixing allegations on Friday after Spanish media reported police are investigating their league meeting from May 2019.

The match in question is a 2-2 draw between the teams at the end of the 2018-19 La Liga campaign. Home side Getafe needed a win to stand a chance of overtaking Valencia and claiming the final Champions League qualification place, while Villarreal were aiming for nothing more than a midtable finish.

Villarreal said in a statement they "absolutely reject" the accusation and are considering legal action for being linked to something that "harms the essence of sport and competition."

Former journeyman footballers Carlos Aranda and Paco Esteban are at the center of the scandal, according to Marca's Juancar Navacerrada. A WhatsApp conversation between the pair apparently indicates Getafe's Jorge Molina was aware that Villarreal players were being paid off.

In their statement, Getafe offered "unconditional support" to Molina and said they "wish to categorically deny any involvement with this matter and this type of conduct."

National newspaper El Pais claims the game is part of Operation Oikos, a widespread investigation into rigging matches to make money through gambling. So far, 11 people have been arrested on suspicion of forming a match-fixing group.

The first-ever convictions for sports corruption in Spain were made in football last month. Two former Real Betis players and five ex-Osasuna directors were given prison sentences for their parts in trying to fix results to ensure Osasuna's safety in the 2013-14 season. The Navarrese club was relegated anyway.