Deportivo La Coruna defender Lopo under investigation after suggesting to Xavi that Barcelona should throw the final game of the season

Barcelona drew 2-2 with Deportivo on the final day of the La Liga season
The point ensured Deportivo avoided relegation from the Spanish top flight
Deportivo’s Lopo reportedly told Xavi Barcelona should ‘loosen up’
Lopo’s comments are being investigated by the league

Published:
10:39 GMT, 11 June 2015

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Updated:
13:02 GMT, 11 June 2015

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Deportivo La Coruna defender Lopo is under investigation by La Liga following comments he made to Xavi during the final match of the season suggesting Barcelona should throw the game.

The 35-year-old was seen having a quiet word in the ear of the Barca captain and later admitted he told Xavi the Champions League winners should ‘loosen up’.

Luis Enrique’s side had already been crowned champions while Deportivo were clinging on to their top flight status.

Deportivo defender Lopo (right) closes down Rafinha during the 2-2 draw with Barcelona in May

Barcelona took a 2-0 lead at the Nou Camp with Lionel Messi scoring in each half before the visitors netted twice in less than 10 minutes to come back and draw the match.

The point secured Deportivo’s place in La Liga, instead sending Eibar into the relegation zone, and reports in Spain had claimed that Deportivo and Barcelona were under investigation for alleged match-fixing.

But La Liga president Javier Tebas confirmed to Spanish newspaper AS on Wednesday that it was in fact Lopo’s comments that were being looked into rather than the clubs.

‘I told Xavi that they should loosen up a little, because a draw was good for everyone,’ Lopo reportedly told Canal+.

‘They are completely competitive. He told me that they weren’t going to throw the match for them. Barcelona’s level was not at the same level it normally was and that worked in our favour.’

It is not clear whether Lopo’s comments were serious or simply made in jest but an investigation is under way to determine if any further action should be taken.