Elche will take their appeal against relegation from the Primera to Spain’s Administrative Court for Sport [TAD].
President Juan Anguix has been in Madrid to come to an agreement with the Treasury after the club were demoted for non-payment of tax and players’ wages.
AS reports Anguix has that agreement with the Hacienda and will argue against the club’s relegation on three counts: that it is outside the LFP’s jurisdiction to relegate a club for a tax offence, that the debt has been settled, and the punishment was disproportionate.
It’s also argued that Elche have shown repentance for their indiscretion as it was committed by the former board, not the board headed by Anguix, who has led the effort to right the wrongs.
Elche finished the season in 13th place, seven points clear of the bottom three, but were sent down and Eibar saved as a result of their financial situation.
The club have paperwork that confirms a payment has been made and Anguix has previously warned that sending the club to the Segunda threatens its very existence.
AS note that Elche in the second division would struggle to live up to agreements made with creditors and public institutions, of which the Hacienda is one.
It’s said that Elche’s repayment plan would see the club free of tax debt by December, which AS add is a rarity in La Liga, and Elche hope works in their favour as they appeal against the maximum punishment they received.
