Lawsuit Against Referee in Nàstic-Málaga Match Accepted by Court

The Court of Instruction Number 4 in Tarragona has accepted the lawsuit filed by Nàstic de Tarragona against the referee who officiated their playoff match against Málaga last June. The Catalan club claims to have evidence that referee Eder Mallo Fernández favored Málaga and falsified information in the match report.

Nàstic de Tarragona announced in a statement that the court has found sufficient grounds to investigate potential crimes of document forgery and corruption in sports. The referee had reported feeling physically threatened, resulting in a €9,000 fine and a four-match stadium ban for Nàstic, which the club strongly disputed.

The lawsuit, filed in December, alleges that Mallo Fernández intentionally made biased calls to ensure Málaga’s promotion and his own advancement to refereeing in the Segunda División, which would significantly increase his annual salary. Nàstic hired a private investigation firm to gather evidence, including alleged conversations between the referee and investigators.

This legal action comes after Nàstic’s dreams of promotion were shattered by a late Málaga goal in added time during the playoff match on June 22, 2024. The club states that this lawsuit aims to “defend the dignity and honor of the organization and the city of Tarragona.”

The court’s decision to proceed with the case marks a significant development in this controversy, potentially setting a precedent for how match-fixing allegations are handled in Spanish football.