Del Nido Goes To Jail

The former Sevilla president José María del Nido started his 7-year jail sentence at 8:15 on Wednesday morning. Del Nido reported to the Seville jail in question of his own accord after his various attempts to postpone his prison term came to nothing. These included a request for a government pardon.

Del Nido was handed a 7-year sentence by Málaga Provincial Court on the charges of perversion of justice, embezzlement and fraud. The Spanish High Court subsequently approved the sentence, albeit wiping out the conviction for fraud. The ex-Sevilla chieftain voluntarily turned up at jail before the Málaga Provincial Court had a chance to rule on his appeal for the sentence to be postponed while he awaited the results of his request for a pardon.

Sources close to Del Nido confided that he was "calm and prepared" ahead of his admission to prison thanks to the support of those around him. They also explained that he chose to report to jail early in the morning and accompanied by just one friend so as to avoid the media glare, prevent a fuss being made and show that he is just an ordinary guy.

It has also been made clear that despite going into prison, Del Nido will continue to pay the financial penalties included in his sentence, which total €2,786,607.34. Indeed, he made a first payment worth €350,000 on 17th February.