Daniel Marland
Rayo Vallecano president Raul Martin Presa claims he was 'headbutted' by the agent of Espanyol striker Raul de Tomas while negotiating a transfer.
The La Liga outfit recent started conversations with de Tomas' agent, Ivan Garcia, but things got heated.
Presa says he was attacked and hospitalised by Garcia, with the 45-year-old sporting a plaster on his nose during recent public appearances.
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"It was a completely unexpected headbutt," Presa told Spanish publication COPE per Goal. "It was the action of criminal, a very cowardly action and a very sh*tty action. Because if he gives me a warning, then we fight."
SPORTbible has approached ICM Stellar, the agency Garcia is a part of, for comment.
A move for de Tomas broke down and he's still at Espanyol, but the 27-year-old is yet to play a game this season after falling out with manager Diego Martinez.
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It's expected a £10 million move will go through eventually, although de Tomas wouldn't be able to play for his new team until January.
Following Saturday's 2-1 victory over Valencia, Rayo confirmed Presa had made a formal complaint against Garcia in a statement.
It reads: "It is radically false that Raul Martin Presa assaulted Ivan Garcia.
"Ivan Garcia assaulted Raul Martin Presa by headbutting him in the face, late at night on Thursday.
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"Precisely for being assaulted, Raul Martin Presa called the police, went to Accident and Emergency at a medical centre in order to receive medical assistance, and, immediately, made a formal complaint against Ivan Garcia to the police department.
"The diffusion of the fake news yesterday that we here have denied is a weak defence strategy from Ivan Garcia in the face of the legal issue he is facing."
De Tomas scored 17 goals in 34 games in the last campaign and made his Spain debut in November 2021.
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He's previously been linked with a move to England and Manchester United were said to be interested in his services last month.