SPANISH league president Javier Tebas says at least eight matches in the top two divisions are fixed each season.

In an interview with the BBC’s World Football Show he said he believed the main problem was coming from an international mafia.

He said: “It sounds easier for players with financial problems to be corrupted but we cannot generalise it.

It happens also with those who earn a lot of money who are comfortable, but I am trying to eradicate the black sheep in La Liga.

“If we do not eradicate it now, it will become like the Wild West with no laws no control.”

He added there needs to be severe punishments for those found guilty, and spoke of lifetime bans for players and coaches involved in corruption.

His remarks follow those made by the head of the international police organisation, who said law enforcement agencies around the world are behind the battle against match-fixing.

Find out more about La Liga’s big UK signing here.

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