February 4 – FIFA has launched an investigation into Valencia owner Peter Lim and company Meriton Holdings, according to reports in Spain.
The investigation is said to primarily concerns the transfer of Rodrigo Moreno, who arrived from Benfica in 2014, the year Lim took over.
Spanish reports claim Lim’s company could have violated Benfica’s independence to act freely in the market
Ever since the Singapore businessman arrived, Lim has sacked coach after coach amid claims the club is one of the worst run in La Liga, his latest move being to sanction the cut-rate sales of several key players citing loss of revenue due to coronavirus.
Shortly after midfielder Francis Coquelin was sold to rival Villarreal for just $7.15 million, the club hierarchy essentially forced captain Dani Parejo to follow suit, angering supporters who worshipped Parejo, a loyal servant to Valencia through nearly 400 games and several managerial reigns.
Ferran Torres, widely considered one of Spain’s most promising prospects, was allowed to join Pep Guardiola at Manchester City for just $25.3 million last summer. He was followed out the door by Rodrigo, who signed for Leeds on a $33 million deal. Each of the pair had provided a significant chunk of Valencia’s goals the previous season.
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