Chinese court confirms Elche relegation for unpaid debts

A Spanish court on Tuesday confirmed that Elche will play in the Spanish Second division (Liga Adelante) next season as a result of the club' s failure to meet its obligation with the Spanish 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.

As a result 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.