Spanish High Court Judge Eva María Alfageme Almena today ruled on the Elche relegation case, refusing the injunction requested by the club and confirming their relegation to the Spanish Second Division.
The relegation had been imposed on Elche by the Liga’s social affairs judge as punishment for having outstanding debts due to the Spanish tax authorities. As a result of Elche’s relegation, Eibar, who finished last year’s league in 18th place and would have been relegated on the basis of results, will stay up.
Elche will play in the second division next year and are left to continue their fight over the relegation in the courts. If they eventually win the legal battle it’s likely they will only receive economic compensation. The club estimate the losses and damages caused by relegation will reach around 79 million euros.