LaLiga on alert for possible deals to help teams avoid relegation

Javier Tebas, LaLiga president, had already warned last Wednesday that being vigilant and ensuring the integrity of the league was important throughout the season but during the crunch games in the final few matchdays the controls are increased. There is a double risk of elements relating to the fate of the teams from a sporting perspective but also of sports betting.

In the last few weeks there has been increased speculation on these sensitive matters and LaLiga is looking to avoid any unsavoury issues affecting the relegation battle. Sporting, Getafe and Granada are all at risk of the drop but all have something else in common - their ties to sports investment group Doyen. Two of these teams, Getafe and Sporting, play each other today and, although three points would go a long way to saving either, a draw may suit them both.

This has raised concerns within the camps of Rayo and Deportivo who themselves are fighting to keep their place in the top division. Depo are currently on 39 points, but Granada on 36 would be joined by the others if a draw was the outcome in Getafe. With a final game against Real Madrid following today's match at Villarreal, it's not impossible to imagine Deportivo being caught and pushed into the bottom three.

AS contacted Doyen regarding these rumours, but they declined to comment on the matter:

Deportivo's manager, Víctor, did speak but on these stories could only add, "I don't know how to respond," possibly wiser than giving a stronger view. Meanwhile, Rayo's coach, Paco, was more blunt: "I worry about what I can control. We are very respectful of the competition and we would prefer to drop to the Segunda with our heads held high, than stay in the Primera with whispers of suspicion." We don't need to buy games," he added and clarified his statement with, "Without evidence I don't want to accuse anybody of anything."

Beyond the suspicions around the investment/sponsor groups (Real Madrid and Rayo are also connected through Qbao) officials at LaLiga are also on alert over the subject of gambling. Last week there was bookmaker controversy over the Granada-Las Palmas and Eibar-Sporting matches.