Sports Briefs

Former Betis players charged with match-fixing

MADRID, Spain (AP):

A Spanish judge has charged three former Real Betis players for alleged involvement in match-fixing three years ago.

Former directors of Osasuna were also charged with allegedly paying US$687,000 to Amaya Carazo, Jordi Figueras and Xavi Torres to help Osasuna stay in the first division in the 2013-14 season.

Court documents released yesterday showed that the money was paid to have Betis defeat Osasuna rivals Valladolid in the second-to-last round and to lose to Osasuna in the last round.

Both results happened - Betis defeated Valladolid 4-3 and lost to Osasuna 2-1 - but all three clubs were relegated.

Darmstadt invite Obama to game

DARMSTADT, Germany (AP):

Bundesliga side Darmstadt is inviting former United States President Barack Obama to one of its home games after announcing him as a Twitter follower of the struggling team.

The club says on Twitter, "Dear @BarackObama, since we are apparently already the only European soccer club you follow on Twitter: See you at our stadium?"

In a video attached to the tweet, Darmstadt's American forward Terrence Boyd presents a jersey with Obama's name on it and says it's a "huge honour" for the club to be followed by the former US president.

The 25-year-old Boyd scored in Darmstadt's surprise 2-1 win at home over Borussia Dortmund last weekend.