The Spanish state prosecution is calling for Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Ángel María Villar, his son Gorka and two other detainees who have been arrested over the "alleged misappropriation" of more than €45M ($52.3M) from the organization "to be refused bail," according to the EFE. Prosecution lawyers Immaculada Violan and Esther Gonzalez asked that the four be "taken to prison after they testify in court on Thursday" (EFE, 7/20). In Madrid, Urreiztieta, Alsedo & Herraiz reported the RFEF "inflated its accounts" by more than €50M "in just two financial years," '13 and '14. That information reportedly comes from an audit by BDO on behalf of Spain's Superior Sports Council (CSD). That "constituted the basis of the so-called 'Operation Soule,'" which led to the arrests of Villar and his RFEF colleagues (EL MUNDO, 7/20).
GOVERNMENT STEPS IN: The EP reported Spanish Minister of Education, Culture & Sport Íñigo Méndez de Vigo explained that the Spanish government "has taken the reins so that what is happening with Villar does not affect the sport." He said, "I can announce that on Friday the calendar for the '17-18 La Liga season will be decided" (EP, 7/20).