Six months in jail for keeper in Spain after hitting team-mate

24 January 2008

MADRID – The Uruguayan goalkeeper Gustavo Munua, of La Liga’s Deportivo La Coruna, was sentenced to 6 months in jail Wednesday after attacking Israeli team-mate Dudu Aouate, although the penalty is to be commuted for a fine.

Munua admitted that he attacked Aouate – his rival for the goalkeeping position at Deportivo – and accepted the charges in the fast trial. Both keepers were called to court, as was the club over a potential subsidiary responsibility in case Aouate decided to seek compensation, which he did not.

The Uruguayan punched Aouate in the eye during training on 11 January, and the Israeli needed several stitches on the wound.

After hearing the 6-month jail sentence, Munua’s lawyer requested that it be exchanged for a fine of EUR 3,600 a year.

Aouate said he did not want to go to court.

"Now we have to hold all our strength to fight to avoid relegation, and that is all. We have to concentrate on the next game," the keeper said.

Munua did not comment.

Deportivo La Coruna – who won the Spanish league in 2000 and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League four years later – are second from bottom of La Liga at the moment, and already out of the King’s Cup.

Subject: Spanish news