The Spanish Sport Arbitration Court upheld their decision to not accept Elche’s petition to be reinstated to the Spanish first division after the initial ruling by the judge working on behalf of La Liga administrators (LFP) to have the club relegated for financial irregularities. The club will now start their 2015-16 season in the second tier of the Spanish game.
Elche will now take their case to the Spanish civil court. The TAD upheld the initial ruling which saw the Alicante based club demoted for tax irregularities and non-payment of playing staff and external suppliers. Despite Elche finishing clear of relegation zone their place in LaLiga will now be taken by Basque club SD Eibar who finished the season in 18th place.
Elche this morning presented new 2015-16 season coach, Ruben Baraja. The former Valencia player stated, “I’d like Elche in the top flight as they’ve earned the right to play there on footballing merits, but I will adapt to whatever category we’re forced to play in”