Spanish prosecutors demanding prison sentence for Ander Herrera

It’s been a disappointing season on the pitch for Ander Herrera, and things could soon get a whole lot worse off it. According to a report in the Daily Mail, Spanish prosecutors are pushing for a four-year jail sentence and a six-year football ban for the Manchester United midfielder, should he be found guilty of sports corruption during a 2011 match between Zaragoza — Herrera’s old team — and Levante.

The accusation is that money was paid to Levante players in return for throwing the game, thus ensuring Zaragoza’s top-flight survival. The players were reported to have received payment of £852,000. Herrera denied the accusations earlier this month, though judges have reopened the case after finding “inconsistent” and “contradictory” statements from those implicated.

Herrera isn’t the only high-profile name implicated: Atlético Madrid captain Gabi, Leicester City’s Vicente Iborra, and former Zaragoza coach Javier Aguirre are among the 41 names implicated in the case. The trial is expected to be held at the end of this year, or at the beginning of next.