Supporters in Lleida will not move ahead with a new popular club until Lleida CF’s liquidation process is complete. The current club faces a 5 June deadline to pay €1.8 million to the Tax Agency and Social Security, or it will be liquidated.
Marc Torres, assistant to the Lleida CF presidency, said on Thursday: “There is no future. It would be an enormous stroke of luck if someone appeared and put in the necessary money.” Coach Jordi Cortés told Segre that players and staff felt “deceived after having our hopes raised”, after an investor expected to secure the club’s future was found to be a fraudster.
The Social Council says it is still looking at alternatives. Jesús Luque of the Blues Nord fan club said the group “continues to work and look for alternatives”, while Cortés said he remained available for the popular initiative project, Lleida 1939, which was announced last year by members and is now on hold.
The mood after the press conference was described as a “cold shower” after a “very complicated” season. Luque said the fan clubs and the Council had been heavily involved, while Cortés said he regretted not being able to say goodbye to the club after the final match against Vilanova.
Joan Ramon Puig Solsona, speaking for former players on the Social Council, said the situation could have been handled better by the authorities, but added that he did not see ill intent from Marc Torres. Sílvia Hoyas, representing the Molo Esportiu fan club, said supporters were very disappointed with management since 2011, while also feeling disregarded by authorities, people with economic and political power, and some journalists.
Lleida captain Òscar Rúbio said he was “in shock” but still hoped a solution could be found. If Lleida CF does not agree payments with creditors by 5 June, it will enter liquidation. In that case, the promoters of the popular club, grouped in the Social Council, could tell the Catalan Football Federation by 30 June that they intend to launch a new side in Quarta Catalana.
The alternative project already has a base from last year. Although the plan is on hold until liquidation is confirmed, the Amics del Lleida association, backed by fan clubs including Blues Nord, Rudes, Molo Esportiu and És un Sentiment, has already completed the federation steps needed to activate a new club, Lleida 1939. More Catalonia news
