Segunda Divison side Reus will lose their entire squad after Saturday’s game against Cordoba and risk forfeiting the campaign.
Captain Jesus Olmo confirmed in a statement on Friday that he and his Reus teammates had exercised options to terminate their contracts, given they had not been paid as a result of the club’s financial problems.
“We have the option of terminating our contracts and we’ve decided to exercise it because we understand that the situation is already unsustainable,” explained Olmo.
“We believe there is no other way our rights can be guaranteed. A partial solution would turn the dressing room into something akin to hell on a daily basis, given it would prolong the agony we’ve experienced until now.
“The situation should’ve been solved on October 26, but the club didn’t fulfil what they promised us.
“The problem has gone on until today. We believe there is no way out and we’ve reached our limits after so many unfulfilled promises and seeing how some of the lads are experiencing situations that are unacceptable for professionals.”
La Liga chief Javier Tebas agreed with the players’ stance, adding: “They’re the victims of a problem caused by Reus themselves.”
The Catalan outfit won their first-ever promotion to the second tier in 2016 and stayed up in each of the last two seasons.
However, they find themselves in the relegation zone and have until Monday night to close a sale or secure significant investment.
It is unlikely to come from Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, who has already denied holding talks to buy the club, but Coach Xavi Bartolo was nonetheless optimistic.
“The club must present a solution on Monday, but I still have hope. I see other faces and that gives me confidence,” he concluded.
Image credit @cfreusdeportiu via Twitter
