As the Spanish League draws to a nervous ending, cut-throat measures are being adopted to ensure "Victoria Ascerta"


Real Madrid has raised the stakes in the La Liga title photo-finish. Ahead of an all-important clash with Zaragoza, the Madrid management has offered cash to their future opponents in one of the deciding matches of the La Liga, explaining that the cash is meant as a harmless motivation to inspire them to defeat title rivals Sevilla on Sunday.


But officials of both, Sevilla and second placed FC Barcelona, do not see it as a harmless incentive, but rather as a future investment by Madrid to mortgage the conscience of Zaragoza players ahead of their Primera encounter and a calculated motivation dampener for Zaragoza when they play their benefactors in a few weeks time. Should Madrid and Barcelona remain tied on points, Madrid will lose the Spanish League title if it fails to win against Zaragoza and Barcelona wins its remaining games. This possibility has led to the accusation from various quarters including Barcelona and Sevilla, that Real are only making unfair efforts to avoid any ugly pitfalls in their title chase.


As though that was not enough to stir up controversy, Madrid again even went further this time by handing out cash to Getafe ahead of their clash with Barcleona on Saturday. This cash is meant to ensure Getafe cause havoc in Barca's title chase by inspiring them to a draw or an unlikely win.


In its defence, Real Madrid explains they are only spurring Zaragoza on to beating Sevilla and securing a UEFA Cup berth next season, so that this achievement will reduce their competitiveness against them, as Zaragoza would have been satisfied with a UEFA Cup place by the time both teams clash.


The cash, as they claim, is not meant to directly influence Zaragoza to lose against them, which will render the move illegal.


Madrid's Brazilian defender, Roberto Carlos, rose in stout defence of his team's actions. He explains it this way:

If Zaragoza beat Sevilla on Sunday, they will secure a UEFA Cup spot and we will not have a tough match against them the following weekend.

Barcelona on the other hand, has vowed not to hand out incentives to any team, choosing rather to rely on its skill and strength to see it to victory and lifting the La Liga title at the end of the season.