Sevilla, Spain – Sevilla FC’s 22-year-old defender, Kike Salas, has been arrested by the Policia Nacional following an investigation into an alleged betting scam involving yellow cards. The arrest follows suspicions that Salas deliberately received yellow cards in La Liga matches last season so that his friends could place bets on him being booked.
Salas, who has been booked three times in 14 La Liga appearances this season, became the most booked player in the league towards the end of the previous season. During that period, he earned seven yellow cards in just nine matches, raising suspicions among authorities. The yellow cards allegedly occurred in the final minutes of matches, which led to further investigations.
Salas is currently under investigation, along with two individuals from his close circle, for potential fraud. A court in Moron de la Frontera has opened a case, and Sevilla FC is cooperating fully with authorities. The club has stated that it will take appropriate disciplinary actions against Salas if the charges are proven true.
If convicted, Salas could face a prison sentence ranging from six months to three years. Despite being under investigation, he remains under contract with Sevilla until 2029, though he has recently been linked to a potential transfer to Italian club Lazio.