Barcelona have reportedly distanced themselves from the possibility of covering Elche’s tax debts in order for their B team to secure a quick return to La Segunda.
It had been suggested that La Blaugrana were considering the idea of paying €7m to settle the Valencians’ bill to Spanish treasury Hacienda in exchange for their place in the second tier, but Mundo Deportivo reports this is no longer likely.
Elche’s appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and National Court over their demotion from La Liga were both rejected, and the club face dropping to Segunda B if they cannot meet a new deadline for their tax debts.
As it stands, Racing Santander, Recreativo and Sabadell – the three sides who were relegated from La Segunda last season – are all in with a shout of bouncing back up in Elche’s absence, but they would also be obliged to pay €7m.
MD claim Barca, despite preferring to have their B team in La Segunda rather than Segunda B, believe promotion may be counterproductive for their players and coaches as they were relegated on the pitch and therefore should earn the right to return on it.
