Spain has threatened to sue Malta after allegations that Maltese players were drugged before losing 12-1 in 1983, the Mirror reports.

Malta's goalscorer in the Euro qualifier also claimed the Spanish team had taken performance-enhancing drugs.

Spain had needed to win the match by 11 goals to overtake Holland and qualify for Euro 84 on goals scored.

And Silvio Demanuele claimed they were given drugged lemons at half-time in Seville when they were trailing 3-1. Spain scored nine times in the second half.

"When I sucked on those lemons, I felt drunk, as if I had been out partying all night,” he said.

Malta's goalscorer Demanuele added: “The energy that the Spaniards had wasn't normal. Some of them were foaming at the mouth; an acidic liquid was coming out of their mouths and they couldn't stop drinking water.

The Spanish FA has issued a statement on its official website warning “it had the right to take legal action of any kind against those who try to smear the good image of Spanish football”.

Spain reached the final of Euro 84 before losing to hosts France.