Spanish court confirms Elche relegation from La Liga for unpaid debts

Elche have been relegated from La Liga for financial irregularities

Madrid, July 22 A Spanish court has confirmed that the Elche football club will play in the Liga Adelante second division next season as a result of their failure to meet its obligation with the country's treasury and for breaking Financial Fair Play regulations.

Elche had finished last season in mid-table, but the Spanish Football League (LFP) later relegated the club for the breaches in its rules, adding that it was not the first time the club had committed these breaches, Xinhua reported on Tuesday.

As a result SD Eibar, who had been relegated after ending the campaign third from bottom of the table, were restored to a place in the Spanish top flight.

Elche appealed to the Spanish court and last Thursday a judge at the High Court agreed to temporarily suspend their relegation until the results of a hearing on Monday.

The results of that hearing were published on Tuesday with the High Court Judge supporting the LFP and confirming that Elche will kick off next season in the second tier of the game.

Elche have 15 days to appeal, but given the firmness of the resolution any appeal looks likely to fail. The club estimates that relegation could cost them up to 79 million euros in lost TV deals and sponsorship over the coming seasons.