Zaragoza apply for voluntary administration
Reuters - Wednesday 08 June 2011, 14:45
MADRID - Real Zaragoza have applied to the
courts to go into voluntary administration in a bid to sort out
their finances, the Spanish club said on Wednesday.
The La Liga side avoided relegation on the final day of the
season last month and have sought protection from creditors
while they put together a new plan to deal with a net debt of
110 million euros.
"(The club) is faced with the reality of a cash flow
imbalance," Zaragoza said in a statement.
"The principal origin (of the problem) lies in the losses
the entity suffered when they were relegated three seasons ago,
and in the economic effort made to achieve an immediate return
to the Primera division one year later.
"Real Zaragoza are confident that this measure will mark a
before and after in the project... and will allow them to achieve
an economic viability that will translate into sporting success
in the short term."
Zaragoza, who are coached by former Mexico boss Javier
Aguirre, have won the King's Cup six times, the last coming in
2004, and beat Arsenal to win the European Cup winners' Cup in
1995.
They are the latest in a string of Spanish sides to face
severe financial difficulties.
A year ago, Real Mallorca went into voluntary administration
with debts of around 85 million euros and were barred by UEFA
from entering the Europa League.
Hercules, who finished 19th in La Liga and were relegated
last month, have also applied to go into administration.
Second division champions Real Betis are in administration
while promoted runners-up Rayo Vallecano have just been taken
over by a new owner after the previous bosses had applied for
protection from their creditors.
According to a study by University of Barcelona professor
Jose Maria Gay, the combined debt of the 20 La Liga clubs had
grown to around 3.5 billion euros at the end of the 2008/09
season.