Elche have been relegated from La Liga for not paying their taxes.
The Alicante-based club finished the season in 13th place but will start next season in the second tier of Spanish football with Eibar taking their place in the top division.
Announcing the decision a statement from the LFP read: “The Social Discipline Judge has agreed to impose upon Elche CF the sanction of relegation from La Liga in view of the recidivism in the case, given that the club had been sanctioned both last season and this season as a result of serious infractions committed, in accordance with La Liga’s Law of Sport and Company Statutes.
“Likewise, the above mentioned ruling carries an added penalty for Elche CF, in the form of a fine amounting to 180,303.63 euros.”
The move to relegate Elche is in contrast to the Scottish authorities who licensed Rangers to play in the 2011/12 Champions League qualifiers while the club owed Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs £6m from the so-called wee tax case relating to payments made to Craig Moore, Tore Andre Flo and Ronald de Boer.
Despite having that bill outstanding the club continued to sign players such as Nikica Jelavic, James Beattie, Lee Wallace, Juan Ortiz and provide lucrative contract extensions to Steven Whitaker, Allan McGregor and Steve Davis.
With a business plan based on reaching the group stage of the Champions League to keep creditors at bay the defeat from Malmo in the third qualifying round brought financial reality to Ibrox with administration and liquidation following within 10 months of losing out to the Swedish giants.
Had the SFA withheld the licence to play in UEFA competitions the extent of the cash crisis at Ibrox may have come to light avoiding liquidation leaving hundreds of creditors out of pocket including public bodies, florists, taxi companies, newsagents and a face painter.
The swift action against Elche by the Spanish authorities ensures that clubs that pay their social taxes on time aren’t penalised while others pick and choose the bills they wish to pay as they chase success on the pitch.
