By Victor Kanayo
President of Spanish club Rayo Vallecano, Raul Martin Presa has claimed that he was headbutted by Espanyol forward Raul de Tomas’ agent during transfer negotiations.
The LaLiga outfit began negotiations with the forward’s agent Ivan Garcia regarding a summer transfer, which now looks to finally being edging closer.
Club President Presa has, however, revealed that he was attacked and hospitalised during the meeting, as he spotted a plaster on his nose.
Presa told Partidazo Cope: “It was a completely unexpected headbutt. It was the action of criminal, a very cowardly action and a very s***** action. Because if he gives me warning, then we fight.”
Rayo have since issued a statement following their 2-1 victory over Valencia, confirming that Presa has made a formal complaint against Garcia.
The statement read, “It is radically false that Raul Martin Presa assaulted Ivan Garcia.
“Ivan Garcia assaulted Raul Martin Presa by headbutting him in the face, late at night on Thursday.
“Precisely for being assaulted, Raul Martin Presa called the police, went to Accident and Emergency at a medical centre in order to receive medical assistance, and, immediately, made a formal complaint against Ivan Garcia to the police department.
“The diffusion of the fake news yesterday that we here have denied is a weak defence strategy from Ivan Garcia in the face of the legal issue he is facing.”
The bizarre transfer saga appears to be coming to an end, with Rayo Vallecano looking set to finalise a deal for Espanyol forward Raul de Tomas after months of negotiations – at least the transfer side of things.
The Spanish international is in exile at Espanyol following a falling out with new manager Diego Martinez, forcing him to look for a new club.
An agreement is expected soon between the two clubs for a fee of around £10million (€12million) for full rights over the player, who would not be able to play for them until January in a Marca report.
