Jesuli
Encyclopedia
Jesús Antonio Mora Nieto (born 24 January 1978 in Seville
, Andalusia
), aka Jesuli, is a retired Spanish
footballer who played as a winger.
, playing one match in the closing stages of 1996–97, a 3–1 home win over RCD Espanyol
, with the Andalusia
side ultimately relegated
from La Liga
, skilled Jesuli alternated between the A and B sides
before being definitely promoted for the 1998–99 season, which ended in a return to the top level.
Signing in the 2000 summer transfer window, Jesuli would serve his most successful stint at Celta de Vigo
(with seven league goals in his third year, as the Galicia outfit achieved UEFA Champions League
qualification). That earned him a return move to his first club, which coincided which Celta's 2004 relegation.
In his second spell at the Andalusia
side, Jesuli would appear sporadically - restricted to cup
matches in 2006–07 and not registered at all (alongside teammate Fernando Sales
) in the following campaign, while also hampered by several injuries.
In January 2008, Jesuli was loaned to Segunda División
side CD Tenerife
for the rest of 2007–08, where he would also feature sparingly. Having returned to Sevilla at the end of the season, he was left to train with the club's B team, as he was not part of coach Manuel Jiménez's plans.
, Jesuli was recorded by Iñaki Badiola, president of Real Sociedad
, in a conversation where he confirmed that the players of Tenerife received around €
6.000 each to lose the last match of the 2007–08 season, against Málaga CF
. As a result (1–2 away loss), the latter achieved promotion, while the Basque
side remained in the second division.
Jesuli was injured at that time so he did not play the aforementioned match. During the conversation, Badiola and Jesuli also speculate that the possible money dealer was Lorenzo Sanz
(former president of Real Madrid
), whose son, Fernando Sanz
, occupied the chairman position with Málaga.
The captains of Tenerife denied such accusations, while stating that Jesuli's was probably joking or under pressure to make such declarations. Lorenzo Sanz declared that the accusation was ridiculous, while a spokesperson
for the Royal Spanish Football Federation initially affirmed that they already knew the case but it was investigated and rejected at that time. The federation, however, later denied that there were any current formal complaints about possible bribery
, as the spokesperson's declarations were actually about a different match.
Surprisingly, a few hours later, Jesuli also denied that Tenerife's players received money to arrange the match in a press release, whereas Badiola insisted in the media that he received consent from the player to record the conversation, and that the player was ready to go further with the issue.
A few days later, El Mundo published the second part of the recorded conversation, where Jesuli is supposed to show that he knew Badiola was recording the conversation.
Seville
Seville is the artistic, historic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. It is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia and of the province of Seville. It is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, with an average elevation of above sea level...
, Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
), aka Jesuli, is a retired Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
footballer who played as a winger.
Football career
After making his professional debuts with hometown Sevilla FCSevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
, playing one match in the closing stages of 1996–97, a 3–1 home win over RCD Espanyol
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
, with the Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
side ultimately relegated
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
from La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
, skilled Jesuli alternated between the A and B sides
Sevilla Atlético
Sevilla Atlético Club is a Spanish football team based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1958, it plays in Segunda División B, and is the reserve team of Sevilla FC, holding home games at Ciudad Deportiva José Ramón Cisneros Palacios, with a 7,000-seat capacity.Unlike...
before being definitely promoted for the 1998–99 season, which ended in a return to the top level.
Signing in the 2000 summer transfer window, Jesuli would serve his most successful stint at Celta de Vigo
Celta de Vigo
Real Club Celta de Vigo , simply referred to as Celta Vigo, is a Spanish professional football club based in Vigo, Galicia, currently playing in the Segunda División. It was founded on March 28, 1923 following the merger of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Fortuna Foot-ball Club.Nicknamed Los Celestes ,...
(with seven league goals in his third year, as the Galicia outfit achieved UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
qualification). That earned him a return move to his first club, which coincided which Celta's 2004 relegation.
In his second spell at the Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
side, Jesuli would appear sporadically - restricted to cup
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
matches in 2006–07 and not registered at all (alongside teammate Fernando Sales
Fernando Sales
Fernando Sales de los Cobos is a Spanish footballer who plays for AD Alcorcón in Segunda División, as a right midfielder.-Football career:...
) in the following campaign, while also hampered by several injuries.
In January 2008, Jesuli was loaned to Segunda División
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
side CD Tenerife
CD Tenerife
Club Deportivo Tenerife, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in Tenerife . Founded in 1922, it currently plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López, with a 24,000-seat capacity.-History:Club Deportivo Tenerife was founded in...
for the rest of 2007–08, where he would also feature sparingly. Having returned to Sevilla at the end of the season, he was left to train with the club's B team, as he was not part of coach Manuel Jiménez's plans.
Controversy
According to newspaper El MundoEl Mundo (Spain)
El Mundo is the second largest printed and the largest digital daily newspaper in Spain and one of the newspapers of record in that country, with a daily circulation topping 300,000 readers for the printed edition and 24 million unique web visitors per month for the...
, Jesuli was recorded by Iñaki Badiola, president of Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
, in a conversation where he confirmed that the players of Tenerife received around €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
6.000 each to lose the last match of the 2007–08 season, against Málaga CF
Málaga CF
Málaga Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Málaga, Andalusia. The team currently plays in Spain's La Liga.Málaga CF is generally seen as the successor to CD Málaga, one of the most historical Andalusian football clubs, by being a near-identical looking football club that even shares...
. As a result (1–2 away loss), the latter achieved promotion, while the Basque
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
side remained in the second division.
Jesuli was injured at that time so he did not play the aforementioned match. During the conversation, Badiola and Jesuli also speculate that the possible money dealer was Lorenzo Sanz
Lorenzo Sanz
Lorenzo Sanz Mancebo is a Spanish businessman, former president of Real Madrid Club de Fútbol and former owner of Málaga Club de Fútbol, where his son Fernando served as club's president.- Early life :In his youth, Sanz played as a goalkeeper for several minor league Madrilenian teams, including...
(former president of Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
), whose son, Fernando Sanz
Fernando Sanz
Fernando Sanz Durán is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a central defender.He spent seven years of his professional career with Málaga - after starting out at Real Madrid - appearing in more than 250 official games...
, occupied the chairman position with Málaga.
The captains of Tenerife denied such accusations, while stating that Jesuli's was probably joking or under pressure to make such declarations. Lorenzo Sanz declared that the accusation was ridiculous, while a spokesperson
Spokesman
A spokesperson or spokesman or spokeswoman is someone engaged or elected to speak on behalf of others.In the present media-sensitive world, many organizations are increasingly likely to employ professionals who have received formal training in journalism, communications, public relations and...
for the Royal Spanish Football Federation initially affirmed that they already knew the case but it was investigated and rejected at that time. The federation, however, later denied that there were any current formal complaints about possible bribery
Bribery
Bribery, a form of corruption, is an act implying money or gift giving that alters the behavior of the recipient. Bribery constitutes a crime and is defined by Black's Law Dictionary as the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official or...
, as the spokesperson's declarations were actually about a different match.
Surprisingly, a few hours later, Jesuli also denied that Tenerife's players received money to arrange the match in a press release, whereas Badiola insisted in the media that he received consent from the player to record the conversation, and that the player was ready to go further with the issue.
A few days later, El Mundo published the second part of the recorded conversation, where Jesuli is supposed to show that he knew Badiola was recording the conversation.
Honours
- CeltaCelta de VigoReal Club Celta de Vigo , simply referred to as Celta Vigo, is a Spanish professional football club based in Vigo, Galicia, currently playing in the Segunda División. It was founded on March 28, 1923 following the merger of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Fortuna Foot-ball Club.Nicknamed Los Celestes ,...
:- UEFA Intertoto CupUEFA Intertoto CupThe UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for European clubs that had not qualified for one of the two major UEFA competitions, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. The competition was discontinued...
: 2000
- UEFA Intertoto Cup
- SevillaSevilla FCSevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
:- UEFA Cup: 2005–06
- Spanish CupCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: 2006–07