Lim fired Anil Murthy after audio leaked
Following a sequence of controversial audio leaks and the public release of conversations, Valencia CF faced a rapid leadership change. Anil Murthy, who had led the club through a turbulent period, was dismissed on Monday, May 30, about two weeks after the first installment of the recordings appeared. The materials, reported by the press outlet Superdeporte, captured multiple statements attributed to Murthy and to representatives associated with Meriton, the equity partner responsible for the club’s management. Throughout his final days in office, Murthy defended certain managerial actions and defended the club’s direction in the wake of the disclosures, while Meriton publicly stood by the club’s governance amid the controversy.
that morning, Meriton issued a statement denying the authenticity of the leaked voices, arguing they had been edited and mixed to convey a biased impression within a broader, casual discussion. The publication was further characterized by Meriton as part of a smear campaign against Valencia CF, with the media outlet accused of distorting the truth for attention and misleading readers about the nature of the conversations.
A few hours later, VCF Media released an interview-length recording featuring Murthy, which spanned about 14 minutes. In this piece, the then-president offered defenses of several administrative decisions that had come under scrutiny in light of the audio leaks. In the days that followed, Valencia CF’s official social channels circulated excerpts from the interview, amplifying the club’s perspective and attempting to present a more complete account of the events surrounding the controversy.
As Superdeporte continued its reporting, Meriton issued another statement the following Tuesday, again alleging that the outlet distorted facts and used sensationalism in its coverage. The club accused the newspaper of manipulating content to mislead readers and to drive engagement at the expense of accuracy, calling into question the integrity of the reporting process and the context of the captured conversations.
By the next morning, reports described a troubling escalation: threats, insults, and demeaning remarks directed at Murthy, his family, and Valencia CF staff. Police were alerted as part of a formal complaint process, with authorities prepared to document any hate speech or violent acts observed on social networks. The club indicated that it would pursue further actions in response to the online hostility and to protect its personnel and stakeholders.
Announcement 1 (May 16)
In light of the audio tapes released by Superdeporte, Valencia CF issued an official public statement outlining several key points about the recordings and the surrounding context.
one. The audios depict a dinner held on 27 April with Valencian businessmen and the VCF Foundation, aimed at supporting the La Nit de València solidarity initiative.
two. The voices published by Superdeporte were described as edited and mixed to spark discussion and to present a distorted or biased view in the context of a casual conversation.
three. The publication was deemed an unethical intrusion into privacy, releasing private and improperly recorded audio without Murthy’s consent.
four. The move was framed as part of a broader smear campaign against Valencia CF that had been ongoing for months.
five. The club alleged that a prior rejection of a Superdeporte proposal had prompted the newspaper to seek further economic leverage through advertising demands, exposing a possible conflict of interest.
six. Valencia CF noted that its legal services were examining potential measures to address the situation with Superdeporte and its management.
Interview with Anil Murthy
An interview featuring the club president offered Murthy’s responses to the audio controversy as presented by VCF Media, with social media posts amplifying his statements.
– Valencia CF official channels
May 16, 2022
Announcement 2 (May 17)
After the continued release of the audio materials, Valencia CF reiterated concerns about the ethical standards and journalistic rigor of Superdeporte. The club accused the outlet of collaborating with a party who recorded a private conversation and of attempting to distort facts and mislead readers through sensationalism. The message urged supporters to discern the truth beyond clickbait tactics and to consider the broader context of the controversy.
Communiqué 3: Complaints of insults, death threats and acts of violence (May 18)
Valencia CF, through its legal team, documented instances of threats, insults, and disqualifying remarks directed at Murthy, his family, and club staff. The club reported these cases to the police and signaled that further updates would address ongoing signs of hate and violence observed on social networks.
Such behavior was condemned as unacceptable by the club and seen as contrary to Valencia CF’s public values, with potential legal consequences pursued for those involved.