Ex-Man Utd star Ander Herrera arrives at court for match fixing trial over former club Real Zaragoza’s ‘suspect’ win over Levante
EX-MANCHESTER UNITED star Ander Herrera has appeared in court for the first day of a trial over alleged match-fixing between one of his former teams.
The Spaniard was among 42 defendants charged over Real Zaragoza's "suspect" win over Levante on May 21, 2011.
The 30-year-old, who left The Zaragozans that year to join Athletic Bilbao, started the match in question under then-manager Javier Aguirre.
The Mexican coach is also on trial and was sacked as Japan's coach in 2015 over his implication in the match-fixing scandal.
Zaragoza's vital 2-1 away win over Levante, the last match of the season, spared the club relegation from the Spanish first division.
But prosecutors allege that Zaragoza made bank transfers to its own playing staff and coaches, who in turn, withdrew over £875,000 to deposit onto Levante officials in order to throw the game.
The home side had already secured their safety in the division prior to the match, while Real needed three points to ensure that Deportivo la Coruna were relegated instead.
Gabi Fernandez, who currently plays in Qatar, scored both goals in Zaragoza's crucial win, and is among the accused along with Herrera and Aguirre.
According to , the Spanish tax authority has investigated the tax expenses of the Levante players for the year in question and found a suspicious drop in claims.
The case was shelved in 2017 but later reopened following an appeal, with prosecutors seeking a sentence of two years imprisonment and six years out of football for the 42 people implicated.
I have never had and will never have anything to do with manipulating match results, I love football and I believe in fair play
Ander Herrera
Among those is Herrera, who spent ten years at the club as a graduate of the club's youth academy before leaving for Athletic Bilbao.
He made 189 appearances for United after joining for £29million in 2014 - scoring 20 goals and grabbing 27 assists before signing for Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer this summer.
The midfielder won the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League during his five-year spell in England.
Herrera has been unable to make his debut for French champs PSG through injury but travelled to Spain for the start of proceedings.
He previously denied any wrongdoing, saying in a statement back in 2014: "I have never had and will never have anything to do with manipulating match results.
"If I am ever called to testify in any judicial hearing, I'll be happy to attend, as my conscience is totally clear.
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"I love football and I believe in fair play, both on and off the pitch."
report that Herrera has requested to be excused from attending every court session, with proceedings expected to continue until September 30.
The Spanish International would be expected to attend court for any declarations and statements, which last until September 13, before a judge can grant him permission to return to his PSG playing schedule.
