Sevilla footballer Kike Salas has been taken into custody by law enforcement on charges related to allegedly manipulating yellow card regulations for the purpose of influencing sports betting outcomes, as reported by the Spanish league on Tuesday.

Investigators from Spain suspect that Salas, a 22-year-old defender, was deliberately seeking bookings from referees to assist bets placed by his family and acquaintances within the country. He has accumulated three yellow cards so far during the current season and had notably received a total of ten yellow cards in the previous season of La Liga, with a troubling pattern where seven of those occurred in the last eight games he participated in.

The Spanish league has announced its intention to engage with any related judicial proceedings concerning Salas. Sevilla FC has acknowledged the situation, stating that they are closely observing developments regarding the player’s detention, which was initially highlighted by the online news outlet El Confidencial.

This unfolding situation raises serious questions about the integrity of sports and the conduct of players, especially in relation to sports betting. The league’s proactive stance indicates its commitment to addressing potential corruption within football. Fans and analysts will be closely watching how this investigation progresses and its repercussions within both the club and the broader football community.