The Myth Of The Maletín In Spain Exposed!

Just as iconic as the Loch Ness monster, and as mythical as Sasquatch, “El Maletín” in Spanish soccer is one of the most talked about myths in sports. There are stories throughout La Liga’s history of clubs such as Real Madrid and Barcelona, sending maletíns, or suitcases, filled with money to teams that have nothing more to play for, and much to gain in incentive payments. Here’s a few million to beat the team that will hinder our title hopes if they win. They are totally illegal, but there’s never been too much proof because a code of honor has always been embraced, until now.

Former defender Fernando Giner and his Valencia teammates received a “substantial” cash incentive from Barcelona to perform well against Deportivo La Coruna in a 1994 Spanish league match.
“Obviously there was a bonus, and a sizeable one, from Barcelona,” he revealed in an interview with the press service of Spain’s indoor football league which was obtained by AFP.
“I accepted the money but this money had a bitter taste,” the 43-year-old added.

Actually, money tastes more like hay.

The May 14, 1994 match between Valencia and Deportivo resulted in a goalless draw.
Barcelona ended the season with the same number of points as Deportivo but won the Spanish league title because they had scored more goals in the matches involving the two teams.
“We know this exists but as long as no complaint is filed, we can’t do anything,” a spokesman for the Spanish football federation told AFP in June 2007.

Aw, it’s like the steroids era in baseball, but, like, lasting forever and everyone actually knows about it. Que guay, tio.

Former Valencia defender spills beans on Barca’s bonus [Yahoo]