The Dutch member of the European Parliament (MEP) Derk Jan Eppink in September claimed that Bankia, which was last year bailed out by the Spanish government, paid part of the worldrecord $132 million fee that Real Madrid paid for Gareth Bale last summer, and demanded an investigation into the matter. Real President Florentino Perez, meanwhile,strenuously denied Bankia’s involvement in the transfer.
“People in soccer know what’s actually going on and what is not,” he said. “Bankia did not pay for the transferof Gareth Bale, we completed it using our own resources. The financial statement was made public and all our shareholders have a copy of it.” The Real President added: “Now it’s said thatthey (Bankia) helped transfer Bale to us and it’s a lie. Real Madrid paid for him with significant resources and I’m a little annoyed to have to speak about it.”
However, two daysearlier, Dutch MEP Epping tweeted: “Bankia finances 101 million Real Madrid purchase of Gareth Bale. Both Bankia and Real virtually bankrupt. Is European taxpayer who pays deal.” Meanwhile, Realis one of seven Spanish clubs under investigation by the European Commission, which has alleged that the Spanish giant received state aid that is not commensurate with European regulations.