Girona manager Michel Sanchez has batted away talk of potential punishments, after allegations that there may have been irregularities in the transfer of Artem Dovbyk from Dnipro-1 to Girona. There have been reports that Girona could face severe action, including relegation from La Liga.
In Girona, the focus is very much on beating Barcelona, which would see them go ahead of the Blaugrana and into second place. However Michel was clear with Diario AS that he wanted to win for the fans.
“It is not a goal. We want to win tomorrow to be, mathematically, a Champions League team for ourselves, not because we are the first Catalan team. Our fans will be happy to beat Barca because there are many kids whose parents and grandparents are Barca fans and will return home and say that they are fans of the second team in Catalonia. There are many people who are engaging with Girona.”
Regarding Dovbyk, the deal certainly worked for Girona, as he is currently leading the Pichichi race in La Liga with 19 goals, two ahead of Jude Bellingham and Alexander Sorloth.
“The top scorer thing is important, it is a goal we have because it is recognition for everyone. We have always said that individual merits cannot be achieved in a way that is not due to the collective. But it has happened with Ballons d’Or, World Cups, very top players that without a team behind them would be impossible. The top scorer would be given to Dovbyk, but it will be a recognition for everyone.”
Michel dismissed talk of Girona being found guilty of any wrongdoing.
“The club has done everything perfectly, others can say what they want. No problem here.”
Meanwhile Dovbyk’s agent, Alexey Lundovsky, has claimed that lawyer Yevgeny Kuzmin tried to extort money out of him in exchange for his silence. Kuzmin is responsible for the complaint and investigation into the Dovbyk deal, as reported by MD.
“Having failed to achieve his criminal objective, he began to deceive the public with unreliable and unconfirmed facts.”
“Not a single fact of any violation has been confirmed in Spain and SC Dnipro-1 confirmed that the transfer was carried out in accordance with current legislation in all areas of football. They [the police] have all the evidence and documents in their possession.”
Girona and Dnipro-1 are accused of a scheme which would have seen them avoid paying the relevant taxes in Ukraine for the deal, which has been firmly by Girona.
