Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 8y

La Liga president Javier Tebas unconcerned about 'bonus payments'

La Liga president Javier Tebas says he does not believe any rules around "third-party bonuses" will be broken this weekend amid tight battles at the top and bottom of the table.

There has been controversy in Spain for some time over "maletines" ("briefcases"), a term referring to incentive payments made by teams involved in the title race or relegation struggle for a mid-table side to beat one of their rivals.

During a tight title race two years ago a debate over the issue arose when Spanish players' union president Luis Rubiales suggested that he saw nothing wrong with the practice, with LFP chief Tebas responding that anyone who gave or received such a payment should be punished.

This season, leaders Barcelona are one point clear of second-placed Real Madrid going into the last round of fixtures, and their respective opponents Granada and Deportivo La Coruna are both already safe from the drop.

Asked in Marca whether he suspected that any payments might be made, Tebas said the authorities would be watching carefully to make sure that no rules were broken.

"I believe that Madrid will follow the rules and the Spanish rules do not allow any such 'bonus' payments," Tebas, a lawyer by profession, said. "We are always vigilant, from the first game, that the rules are followed, above all with integrity.

"We will not allow behaviour that goes against the integrity of football. We will be watching all the games, not just Granada. Recently we are more attentive to this type of thing."

However, ex-Real Madrid defender Manolo Sanchis maintains he does not see a problem with teams being offered an extra incentive to win their games.

Sanchis was involved when Madrid lost the title on the final day at Tenerife in both 1991-92 and 1992-93, with Barcelona benefiting on both those occasions.

In an interview with fans on Marca.com, the former Spain international and now well-known pundit said he did not think such bonuses should be against the rules.

"I am in favour of the bonuses to win," Sanchis said. "It just means an extra add-on to what is the player's normal job, which is nothing else but going out to win the game."

Granada assured themselves of safety with a third win in four games last weekend, when three goals in the final 15 minutes brought a 4-1 win at Sevilla, who themselves were focused more on their upcoming Europa League and Copa del Rey finals.

However, the Andalusian club's players would not give anything less than 100 percent in Saturday's game, Granada president Quique Pina said in AS.

"There is no relaxation," Pina said. "We know that Barcelona and Real Madrid are playing for a league title, and I am convinced that my players want to win this game for the great importance it has, while they are also obliged to do so."

Ex-Barca winger Isaac Cuenca, who joined Granada in January and scored his first goals for the club with a brace at Sevilla on Sunday, said he would not be holding back anything against his former side next weekend.

"I will give everything, 100 percent, for Granada in the game," Cuenca said. "This is not a moment for feelings or loyalties. I play for Granada. They have given me a lot of confidence here and they help me each day -- so the only thing I want to do is help their cause.

"Our objective was to avoid relegation. That is something we were looking for since the start. But now we want to finish the season in the best way possible."

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique was asked about the prospect of maletines this weekend and told reporters: "I've got no idea, I hope not."

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