Jose Maria del Nido, president of Spanish First Division club Sevilla, was sentenced to seven and a half years in jail, after being found guilty of helpingofficials of the Costa del Sol resort city of Marbella misappropriate public funds during the real-estate boom.
Del Nido, 54, denied the charges and can appeal the sentence toSpain’s Supreme Court. He worked as a lawyer for the city and was cleared of charges, including falsifying documents, improper appropriation of funds and professional dishonesty.
Del Nido has been president of Sevilla since 2002. It won back-to-back UEFA Cup titles in 2006 and 2007.