HEARTS star Miguel Pallardo's title-winning celebrations will come to a sobering end today when he takes the stand in a Spanish court in a match-fixing case.
The Tynecastle midfielder helped Hearts to a stunning title success this season but the former Levante star was one of 42 players, coaches and directors named in a complaint taken up by Spain's anti-corruption authorities, who maintain that Real Zaragoza's 2-1 win at Levante in May 2011, which saved them from relegation that season, had been agreed in advance. The prosecution claims a total of €965,000 changed hands.
Spanish prosecutors allege the Zaragoza players had money paid into their accounts which they then disbursed in cash to the Levante squad.
The proceedings will be held in Valencia's City of Justice court, with Pallardo due to give evidence in the afternoon, after delaying the original session from March because he was playing for the Edinburgh side.
He will be joined by Atletico Madrid captain Gabi, who played for Zaragoza at the time.
And La Liga president Javier Tebas has warned that some players could end up in jail, if found guilty.
He said: "I do not like anyone losing their freedom, but if they commit serious crimes, they must go to prison."
Hearts boss Robbie Neilson admitted earlier this season the club knew about the case, but insisted Pallardo was innocent.
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