The World Cup winners and defending European Champions Spain were today accused of 'not trying' to beat Italy in their opening game of Euro 2012 because players were told their was no win bonus money available from the Spanish Football Association.
Ray Di Garger, a sports reporter of Italian-Irish descent, claims he overheard a conversation between the Spanish football association chairman and the countries banking CEO discussing win bonuses.
The two teams drew 1-1 in the Group C match, with the under-rated Italians taking a 60th minute lead through Di Natale. Cesc Fabregas equalized four minutes later.
Italy had their own problems with the domestic leagues match-fixing claims forcing the withdrawal from the squad of Domenico Criscito after he was arrested.
Spanish banks received a Eurozone bailout of approximately £81 million over the weekend, but a banking source refused to reveal if the Spanish FA would get any money owed to them. A spokesman told the sloof "We are looking at alternative ways of playing the players - paella, oranges, sombreros or sun tan lotion - we are determined to make it three tournament wins on the spin."
