Preview: Stats, News and ones to watch - Jornada 17

A preview looking at team news, the most likely results and recommended picks if you're a fantasy football player.

Sevilla v Real Madrid

With Barcelona proving they’re the best team in the world by beating mystery teams in Japan this week, Real Madrid have an ideal opportunity to give the impression they're the best team in La Liga by reclaiming their 3 point cushion at the top before the winter break.

Egos in the Real dressing room will have been bruised and battered by last week’s humbling in El Clasico. Despite the feeling that the power balance may have been shifting at the top after years of Catalunian dominance, Barca’s 3-1 victory, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s ineffective display were an all too familiar return to the status quo. All Real can do in response is do what they have been doing all season before last week’s interruption: win.

Sevilla have been awkward opposition for Los Merengues over the past few years, having won four of their last six Liga meetings at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán stadium. Saying that, Jose Mourinho bucked the trend when his side registered a 6-2 thrashing in this fixture as recently as May this year with Ronaldo scoring four. This season, Los Blancos have been devestating away from home with 21 goals from 8 games. However they come up against a Sevilla defence that has looked far more organised this year and put in a magnificent display to earn a clean sheet at Camp Nou earlier this term.

Real have no new injury worries, with just Ricardo Carvalho out long-term. Sevilla’s Argentine winger Diego Perrotti is struggling with a knock.

Prediction: 3-1 for Real. Look for a vengeful display from Ronaldo.

Third placed Valencia also had a wobble last week when they stopped playing after 89 minutes, conspiring to lose at Real Betis. This week, it’s a case of “old money” (maybe that should be, “no money”) versus “new money” as they take on the nouveau riche Malaga. Los Che need to get back to winning ways with Levante rediscovering their form and just a point behind in fourth place. Unai Emery welcomed back the classy Ever Banega during the midweek Cop del Rey visit to Cadiz and the Argentinian schemer could be back in the starting line-up this weekend.

Prediction: Valencia win 2-1 with the ones to watch being Roberto Soldado and Tino Costa.

Levante have a tricky visit to Granada, who have been full of surprises, but should prevail against the promoted side who have one of the meanest defences in the Liga. This is likely to be a low-scoring affair.

Prediction: Granada 0-1 Levante

Osasuna have had an excellent start to the season in stark contrast to Villarreal who they host this weekend. The Pamplonans have been free scoring and great entertainment value. They welcome back born-again midfield maestro Raul Garcia this week, and in tandem with attacking dynamo Alvaro Cejudo, Los Rojillos are more than capable of heaping on the misery for the Yellow Submarine.

Prediction: 2-0: Ones to watch: Nino, Ibrahima.

Espanyol and Sporting Gijon go head to head after both sides recorded impressive wins last week, but it's hard to get too excited about either side.

Prediction: 1-1. Ones to watch: Romaric (Espanyol), Nacho Novo (Gijon)

Atletic Bilbao take on the struggling Real Zaragoza at San Mames. This is an ideal opportunity for Bilbao to get back to winning ways after a stuttering spell in La Liga and Europe. Stoke City star Jermaine Pennant suffered some kind of anterograde amnesia while he was playing for Zaragoza: he was always late; forgot where he parked his car and seemed to lose all footballing ability during his stint on the continent. A similar collective sickness appears to have gripped the side now rooted to the foot of the table. Bilbao are without suspended captain Andani Iraola and Fernando Llorente is a doubt.

Prediction: 3-1 home win. Ones to watch: Ander Herrera, Toquero, Muniain and Susaesta.

Atletico Madrid come galloping into their home tie with Real Betis off the back of their triumphant Europa Cup performance in midweek. Gregory’s Manzano’s boys love playing at home and with Falcao, Ada Turan and Diego all starting to purr, expect another home win. 3-1 Atletico.

On paper, Mallorca versus Getafe may look like the sort of game that any neutral would rather poke their own eyes out than endure. It excites me though, if only because Mallorca are starting to look like they can win and this could be one of the most one-sided games of the weekend as Getafe are being pretty useless away from home. Victor knows how to score. Prediction. Mallorca 2-0.

Racing Santander versus Sociedad is up there in the tedium rankings. Sociedad keep squeezing out the points and Carlos Vela is starting to fulfill his potential as the poor man’s Lionel Messi. Racing Santander can’t excite me unless Kennedy Bakircioglu is playing, and he’s still a doubt. A deathly 1-1. Snooze fest.

Read more at Fantasy Football Super

Bummed by the strike? We've got you covered Part#1

Hey Forzafutbolers!

Are you bummed by the La Liga strike like millions of fans around the world? We hear you. While we cant get the LFP and AFE (players union) to end the strike any sooner, we can help you get your La Liga fix. In the first part of our series "Bummed by the La Liga strike" we give you a choice selection of some of our most downloaded of the recent past.

The Best of the Forzafutbol podcasts

1. Seville Derby - Adam (Ooh Betis) & Aaron (Monchi's men) talk up the Andalucian derby, its a fun pod.
2. Eduardo Alvarez of ESPNSoccernet talks about all things Spanish football and Copa America
3. Around La Liga - Elisa & Ravi set the table for a new season. The new arrivals like Bielsa, Alexis, success of the Spain U19 and U21 at the Euros and a lot more.
4. The Copa America wrap up. Forzafutbol's tournament awards for the good and the brickbats for the not so good. Special guest Rob (@santapelota) & Chris (@chris_elastico)
   
5. Jose Antonio, a labour lawyer from Madrid breaks down the financial mess in Spanish football, the complexities of Ley Concursal and SADs

For more podcasts please find them:

1. On iTunes "forzafutbol podcast" OR
   
2. Click on our podcast gadget on the right sidebar on our website OR
   
3. Go here

The Seville Derby podcast with Monchi's Men and Ooh Betis

Hello Forzafutbol podcast listeners!

Welcome back. The main course of our podcast #161 is the Seville derby. We have two excellent gentlemen supporting either side, Adam from Ooh Betis a great blog about Real Betis in english and Aaron from Monchi's Men an excellent blog for all things Sevilla in English.
We recorded this a few days ago with Adam in England doing the show at 6.30am for him and Aaron at 11.30pm for him. We thank them both for their availability at an odd hour.

Download this episode (right click and save)

On iTunes : search for "Forzafutbol podcast"
On smartphones : Forzafutbol Mobile

Segment#1 : La Liga round up

Elisa, Mando and I discuss the current headlines of La Liga

1. Strike - will there be one or not, why are the players justified in striking etc.
2. Latest transfer rumours - Falcao to Atleti; De Guzman to Villarreal; Gio Dos Santos and more
3. Super Cup 1st leg : Reactions and impressions

Segment#2 : Seville Derby

1. Introduce our guests
2. Discuss the past seasons of Sevilla and Betis
3. Transfer status of the two teams

Segment #3: Seville Derby

1. Expectations of the game
2. Adam and Aaron give reasons why their team would win
3. Predictions
4. Wrap up

All this sprinkled in with some special music that Sevilla and Betis fans love.

It is a bummer that this game wont be played this weekend but they podcast is a fun way to have a feel for the game and what it means to the two sets of fans in Seville.

Thanks for listening and please drop us a line of feedback to help us get better.

La Liga Week #1 Kick-off times

And finally they are here.

The self-proclaimed "best league of the world" has announced the kick-offs for Week#1 of the season 11 days ahead of the games. Incredible. Irony aside, let us look at the kick-offs

Game	Date	East coast	West coast	local (CET)
Espanyol x Granada	20-Aug	Noon	0900	1800
Levante x Zaragoza	20-Aug	Noon	0900	1800
Villarreal x Sporting	20-Aug	1400	1100	2000
Osasuna x Valencia	20-Aug	1600	1300	2200
Rayo Vallecano x Mallorca	21-Aug	0600	0300	Noon
Racing x Getafe	21-Aug	1000	0700	1600
Real Madrid x Athletic	21-Aug	Noon	0900	1800
Málaga x Barcelona	21-Aug	1400	1100	2000
Betis x Sevilla	21-Aug	1600	1300	2200
Real Sociedad x Atlético	22-Aug	1500	Noon	2100

Major changes from last year.

1. No 5pm (local) kick-offs on sunday.
2. 9 different kick-off times
3. The noon kick-off is geared at the Asian markets, they tried a game last season at this hour, Mallorca x Villarreal. Probably the wrong game in the wrong town at the wrong time. Fans and players alike seemed to have played through that game, hung over.
4. The Andalucian derby is scheduled for the 10pm kick-off on Sunday. Sensible because the temperatures in Andalucia are close to 40s in the early evenings in August
5. The other two big games, Madrid x Athletic and Málaga x Barça are also on Sunday.
6. Villarreal play on the Saturday as they have the return leg of the CL playoff on Tuesday Aug 23rd.

It will be interesting to see how this spread-out kick-offs work. It will definitely screw up schecule of the radio programs like Carrusel, Marcador, Tiempo de juego etc.. because now they have to spend more hours and with less games going on simultaneously.
All in all, glad that the schedule is out, now let us see if they do kick-off with the players union threatening a strike.

¡¡¡Viva La Liga! Viva España!!!

Real Betis Kits 2011-2012

Real Betis Balompie have announced their new RBb kits for 2011-2012.

Home Kit: The colors continue to be the traditional green and white with white shorts and the traditional green socks.

Away Kit: A darker full-green top; "Celtic" green if you would believe the press-kit and black shorts with the traditional green socks again.

Third Kit: An orange top with white stripes on the collar and sleeves to go along an off-set grey vertical stripe that crosses the Real Betis badge. Matching orange socks with green shorts.

Reaction: Pretty horrid other than the first kit which is pretty faithful to history. I dislike intensely though when clubs have stripes along the front and they reserve a large swath of color for the numbers and such on the back. Malaga did it and here you can see Betis does it as well. I would have given them 3 stars if not for that bit of ugliness.

Grade: 2 out of 5 stars

Betis Float Up!

Special Guest Writer Adam Boyle from the awesome Ooh Ooh Betis Blog is chufed, stoked, and over the moon that Betis is back in La Primera!

Fabulous Pictures courtesy of Selu Vega from Manquepierda Blog. Enjoy!


Fans of Real Betis are walking on air. Their club is back in Primera, free from dictatorship and fun to follow again. It’s been a wild year in Seville!

A couple of years ago, a report emerged declaring the citizens of Costa Rica to be the happiest people on earth. (This is usually put down to a uniquely winning combination of great beaches and no army.)

But, with all due respect to the good people of the little country between Nicaragua and Panama, at 6.52pm on Sunday May 15th the baton passed. The most contented humans in the universe are now to be found mostly (but not exclusively) in the green and white half of Seville, Andalucía. They are the inhabitants of Planet Betis.

To be honest, Béticos (as we like to be known) had been anticipating promotion back to Primera for several months, but it wasn’t until Alcorcón scored their second goal against Granada (at 6.52pm on Sunday etc) that the matter was put 100 per cent beyond doubt. And boy, was the moment sweet. The players (and several hundred fans) were on a high-speed train back from a game that morning up near Barcelona when they heard the news; the vigour of their celebrations even interfered with the running of wheels on the tracks and delayed their arrival by half an hour.

By the time they got to Seville’s Santa Justa station, a crowd of 10,000 were waiting to greet them. After a crazy open-top bus trip around the city, they were met by a further 20,000 in front of a stage outside the Estadio Benito Villamarín. Cameroonian striker Achille Emaná painted his head green and white. Adored coach (and former Betis striker) Pepe Mel told the crowd sheepishly, “I’m embarrassed that you love me so much.” There was singing. There was dancing. There was clapping. There was scarf-waving. Mucho alegría, mucho Betis.

A week later, the euphoria had died down, but the gentler feeling that replaced it was probably even dandier. Before the next home game, a 6pm Saturday kick-off against Huesca, the atmosphere in the bars and streets around the Betis stadium was one of perfect contentment. Hyperactive kids in full verdiblanco kit were running everywhere, mingling with chuckling grandmothers in green blouses, and snuggly couples in brand new matching his-n-hers “Siempre de Primera” T-shirts. It reminded me of Northern Soul club night I was taken to in London back in the early 1990s; after I naively remarked to my friend how super-friendly everyone was, he gently pointed out that Ecstasy was pretty big with this particular crowd. Ah.

But there’s nothing artificially induced about the happiness of Béticos right now. We’re just high on goals. If promotion with three weeks of the season still left wasn’t enough, Pepe Mel’s side just need to score three more times in their last two games to break the Segunda record for a season. Emaná, Rubén Castro and Jorge Molina have more Liga goals between them (55) than half the teams – yes, entire teams – in the division. Betis this season have played with joy and verve and poetry; take away one bizzarely inexplicable five-game losing run and it’s just been a dream.

And there’s more to it all than simply what’s happened on the pitch. Last summer, Sevillana judge Mercedes Ayala decided that Manuel Ruíz de Lopera, the club’s eccentric owner for the last 18 years, should answer charges of embezzlement and so froze his 51 per cent shareholding. By Christmas Betis was being run by a passel of good guys, including new president Rafael Gordillo, the club’s single most popular ex-player, who man led a 60,000-strong march against Lopera through Seville two years ago. Betis may still be burdened by €80million-worth of debts – Lopera’s most damning legacy – but at least the club is free from dictatorship at last.

In fact, the financial problems may yet be a blessing in disguise because at least the technical staff can’t be tempted to break-up 2010/11’s much-loved team. They simply can’t afford to. And anyway, there’s every chance Pepe Mel’s Betis will do well back in Primera.

The current squad comprises mostly decent players in their late 20s who have simply never had a chance to show what they can do at the top level. Names like Chechu Dorado (a supernaturally composed central defender), Salva Sevilla (the best midfield passer in Segunda for two seasons now); and Jorge Molina (a classic No 9 in every sense, except the “19” on his back), won’t mean much to the man on the Getafe omnibus right now, but I’m betting they will in six months’ time. Add a smattering of interesting youngsters - like our own mini Xavi, 23-year-old Beñat – and the future looks bright. Realistically, Béticos would settle for a comfortable mid-table position and four points from the two Seville derbies, but Pepe Mel is already talking about aiming for Europe in the not-too-distant future. That shouldn’t be out of the question.

Nor will it only be on grass that Betis could make their mark in Primera. One of the more remarkable aspects of their two seasons in Segunda has been the away support they are capable of attracting. In the last month or two it has not been uncommon for visiting Béticos to outnumber home fans, not just in places near at hand like Córdoba, but as far afield as Barcelona as well. Every Monday YouTube braces itself for another avalanche of Bético fan videos. Watching every clip of Betis fans singing along to the accordian riff on Euro dance athem Stereo Love would pretty much take you to the start of next season on its own.

Traditionally, Real Betis have always been thought of as everyone in Spain’s “second” team, so it was sad to see this accolade being lost somewhat in the last few years, while Lopera’s rule grew increasing antagonistic, the in-fighting got nastier and the players became ever more over-paid and under-performing.

But Béticos would like it to be known that we’re ready to be liked again. Crazy fans? Check. Humble footballers who “get” it? Check. A management team that understands what the club is about? Check. A place at Spanish football’s top table? Check. See you in August.

Alcorcón: A Division Below But Leagues Ahead

Today we have a very special guest writer from MadridAtleticos, Gary Madrid, on assignment at the Alcorcón match, from this past weekend. With the playoffs looming it's time for some Liga Adelante aka Segunda A action. Enjoy!

Just outside Madrid, on one of the main motorways that leads to the south of Spain there is a turnoff. A special turn off it is not and where it leads to is nothing special. Alcorcón became headline news last year when they knocked out Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey. They became most Anti Madridista’s 2nd club and the clubs yellow scarves were sold outside stadiums including Real’s city rivals Atlético de Madrid. But, for all their success in the Copa Del Rey the team were determined to climb up the leagues using Getafe as an example. Last year they came up to the 2nd Division and some wondered would they be able to hack it. On Sunday they secured enough points to remain the 2nd Division for another year but the club haven’t stopped there and now are looking upwards to the playoffs where they are only 4 points off the last spot.

Alcorcón have a stadium of only 3000 but quiet it is not. It is very easy to park around the ground. The press officers of the club are friendly and accommodating and journalists and fans interact like old friends. The team play at Municipal Santo Domingo and have the full support of the town council because after all this is a community club. The club reached out to the locals and although Madrid has clubs like Real, Atleti etc. Alcorcón feel there is room for more. This season they have surprised quite a few people and a playoff place would be a just reward for all the hard work done by everyone at the club. Should they get promoted and Getafe stay up there would be 5 teams from the province of Madrid in the 1st Division.

On Sunday I attended the game and was surprised by the organisation of the club. Stewards and staff were surprised that any foreign writer would be interested in their club and at 1st they thought I was there to cover Granada. After assuring them that I was there to cover Alcorcón they showed me to the press area. It was perfect. The crowd came early to cheer the team on as they warmed up and Granada brought a decent away support. Fans knew that a point would guarantee their place in the division next year but they were there to enjoy their day in the sun. As the team sheets came hot off the printer, and I mean that literally, there was a shock as lead scorer Quini had been dropped. Journalists and fans conversed over the reasons for this and there was a good atmosphere all round. The game kicked off and all the fans were in full voice and then something amazing happened.

A player was lying on the floor after being tackled. A section of fans started to chant a famous chant that is sung across Spain: Pisalo (Stamp on him). A chant that is so common that nobody really notices it anymore. Within in 15 seconds an announcement was made asking fans to refrain from making any chants of a racist or violent nature. The whole ground applauded the announcement. I was taken by surprise by the level of disgust from the fans. ‘It’s a family club, why do these idiots come’ was what one fan told me at half time. ‘This type of thing is embarrassing to the club’ said another. I asked one employee of the club was it mandatory to make such announcements and he told me no but that Alcorcón wanted to set an example. The example was one that all Spanish clubs should follow because in this respect they are years ahead of most teams in Spain.

The game was played at a high tempo and the ref allowed the game to flow. Although Granada had little chance of automatic promotion they were not giving up without a fight. A defeat would lead to promotion for Betis. As the game went on the lack of goals did not take away from the enjoyment of the game. Just before half time Alcorcón got a penalty and slotted it home. At half time fans and journalists mixed again and exchanged views on the match. The 2nd half saw Granada really come out of the boxes and raring to go. Alcorcón rode their luck in the 2nd half but some good defending and luck saw them maintain their lead. As the game entered injury time they broke away on the counter attack and scored to make it 2-0. The whole ground broke in song. Nobody leaves here early as there is no point, there is no traffic. I had attended a few games in La Segunda and have always enjoyed them. The lack of press coverage they receive is a disgrace. Leaving the ground I made a promise to myself to return. Hopefully it will be in 2 weeks.

Old friends to return?

As the season is drawing to a close, I thought I would try and find out a little bit about the Spanish Segunda Division. Being based in England, you have to go hunting for info on the second tier, and I thought it would be a good opportunity to educate myself further on Spanish football.

Upon looking at the league table, with 35 of 42 games played, the first thing I notice is that we should be welcoming back an old friend into next year's Primera Liga. Real Betis, based in the Andalucian city of Seville, currently sit top of the table, ahead of Rayo Vallecano, themselves former members of the top flight, on the head to head rule. The top two are nine points ahead of another legendary club, Celta de Vigo. Barca Athletic sit fourth, currently in the playoff positions. However, under Spanish football rules, a club's "B" team cannot play in the same division as the senior team. Therefore, as it stands, the team in seventh, currently Valladolid, would enter the playoffs.

I for one will be delighted to see Real Betis back in the big time. Relegated in 2008-09, they are in their second season in the Segunda. Ironically, they were relegated from the top flight on a head-to-head record with Getafe, and in their first attempt at promotion, they missed out thanks to inferior head-to-head records against Levante and Hercules.

The stadium, Estadio Benito Villamarin, has always been a hostile and uncomfortable place for visiting teams to play. With a capactiy of over 52,000, it will be the fifth biggest stadium in La Liga (there are two unused stadiums in Spain that hold more: Lluis Companys, Espanyol's stadium until last season, holds just under 56,000, and Estadio de la Cartuja in Seville, which holds 57,619). It certainly is a formidable sight, especially when the locals are all decked out in the team's iconic green and white stripes.

So, what are their chances next season if they do seal promotion in the coming weeks? Well, their squad seems pretty strong on the face of it. They have a very good goalkeeper in Inaki Goitia, and some strong defenders, with the likes of Miki Roque, Isidoro and Jose Dorado all playing important roles this season. There is a lot of experience in midfield, and up front, they have two of the top scorers in the Segunda this season. Ruben Castro, especially, is an ever present player this term, and has 19 goals in his 35 appearances. Also chipping in with goals are Jorge Molina (15 in 27) and Achille Emana (13 in 24).

If they can maintain the nucleus of their squad, and with the right additions, they should be able to cement a place in the Primera Liga for some years to come. They have been missed for these last two seasons, and every fan of Spanish football should welcome them back with open arms.

Friends of Forza Futbol 4.12

A new feature here at Forza Futbol, FFF or Friends of Forza Futbol, will be a weekly article that publicizes the best blogs in English about the Spanish game.

First of all, we hope everything is alright for the guys at LaCelesteBlog.com, they are taking some time off and we wish them well. We also want to point your clickers to LaLambrettaradio.com, it is a bit self-serving, but Edu continues to have us on his bilingual show and we are very grateful. Any pericos out there? Mando has ramped up his side-project, Espanyolusa.info, and he is looking for people to sign up for the Los Angeles penya. At LaLigatheMidlands, they have an article called the Subbuteo pitch that tracks one player in a match, ex-Real Madrid player Javi Garcia (brother of Luis Garcia) and his time at Benfica. As usual too, the guys at Spanishfootball.info bring together some great pieces. Match reports hot off the presses, Shakhtar Donetsk v FC Barcelona in the Champions League today, plus a great piece on what Wayne Rooney could learn from Athletic Bilbao. Then again, Striker is always an option at Spanish Football & Sports. Try his piece on Cristiano Ronaldo being targeted by AC Milan. A fluff-piece in the news, slow news week and all, but well-covered by one of our oldest Friends of Forza Futbol.

On the Team front: Madridatleticos are covering the David De Gea transfer to Manchester United from the ground floor. Ooh Betis is flying the flag for the cucumbers and for Jonathan Pereira, who feels like Johnny Rotten, and Villarreal USA covers the debacle that was Valencia destroying the Yellow Submarine 5-0 at Mestalla.

Forza Futbol 135: La Lambretta Radio

Edu Pérez Suárez from LaLambrettaRadio.com

On today's episode of the Forza Futbol Virtual Spanish Pub, we are joined by the imminently capable Edu Pérez Suárez from La Lambretta Radio and we talk Champions League, Europa League and the state of La Liga today from a very Spanish perspective. We're even going to be on Spanish radio from this. In Castellano. Imagine that people. We've hit the big time. 
 
Listen Now:

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Forza Futbol 126: Focus on Real Betis

Adam from Ohh Betis Blog

On today's menu for the Forza Futbol Virtual Spanish Pub, we are serving immense portions of cucumbers, along with the sparkling conversation with our friend Pepino Joe Meemo or Adam from his Ooh Betis: Real Betis Balompie Blog. See, Real Betis have something with cucumbers, I guess since they wear green and their nickname happens to be Los Pepinos or the Cucumbers, then that would make sense. Adam talks to us about the second division, their great run of form and the expectations that the city of Seville will have their derby next year. Enjoy.

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UEFA Financial Fair Play and La Liga: Bad Moon Rising

With Mando's recent interview with Leander Schaerlaeckens of football finances, I decided to do a bit of research and read UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules. Here's a summary.

Based on the Bundesliga financial regulations, UEFA has enacted Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations that all clubs involved in European competitions must adhere to by the 2012-13 season.

Some of the key points are:

1) Teams who file for voluntary administration aka bankruptcy cannot play in Europe. We have already seen Mallorca was not allowed to play in Europe. Other teams such as Real Sociedad, Malaga, Levante, and close to filing Sporting Gijón would not be allowed to play in any European competitions, should they earn a place.

2) Teams will be required to break even. The latest figures released in May 2010, for the 2008-9 season indicated that only three teams were in the black in La Liga: Real Madrid, Barcelona and Numancia. Numancia has since been relegated. So much for financial prudence. Real Madrid and Barcelona earn 53% of La Liga revenues.

3) Teams will not be allowed to owe any past due payables towards football clubs IE transfer debt. This would detrimentally effect most La Liga teams. Just a quick example, Mallorca still owes 4 million dollars to Athletic Bilbao for the sale of Aritz Aduriz, who now plays his trade at Valencia.

4) Teams will not be allowed to owe any overdue payables towards employees and social/tax authorities. Recently, Valencia was unable to pay their players, in fact they paid them late. In this case, would Valencia be knocked out of Europe? According to the UEFA FFP regulations, the answer would be yes. Spanish La Liga debt in total amounted to $4.65 billion for the 2008-9 season.

5) Expenses that will NOT be included in the break even calculation, as they are encouraged for the good of the game, include: expenditures on youth development, expenditures on community development, and expenditures or costs related to facilities and infrastructure i.e., stadiums.

6) Loopholes: Single entity aka sugar daddies can invest in the club to the tune of $57M Euros in the first three years, and $38M in subsequent three years. in exchange for shares. The big boys (Real Madrid & Barcelona) will have an out to make the new laws work. In addition, their are no regulations to force clubs to reduce their debt. That said, it will be extremely for La Liga clubs to enact and adhere to these regulations, without losing a competitive edge.

If we look at the current European contenders only Barcelona and Real Madrid would qualify for Europe. Atlético Madrid, Valencia, and Villarreal all operate with huge loses. In fact salary and wages for Valencia, Sevilla, Real Betis, and Atlético Madrid are higher than revenues generated by the clubs. The only reason that these clubs manage to limit their losses is from the sale of players and real estate transactions. The bottom line is that the day to day business of football in La Liga, cannot cover costs.


There has got to be a grandfathering and adjustment period for La Liga, as well as exceptions and concessions, if not I do not see how any other teams,10- aside from the big two will be able to compete in Europe.

Sources: UEFA.com, Professor Jose Maria Gay on Spanish Football Finances, Cinco dias, Soccernet, Sport und Markt, Four Four Two

SPANISH HEARTS: Tragedy Strikes Again

With the recent tragic cardiac arrest on the pitch, by Salamanca's Miguel García during the game at Real Betis' stadium, there appears to be some disturbing medical patterns emerging in the Spanish game. Thankfully, Miguel García was revived by the Betis and Salamanca doctors, but his heart stopped for 25 seconds and the player has now knows that his career is over.

Why are young Spanish players encountering heart problems? Is it the rigorous training? diet? performance enhancing drugs? medical services? not enough monitoring or tests? It just does not make sense.

The list keeps growing:

1) Sevilla's Antonio Puerta had a heart attack on the pitch during the opening game of the 2007-8 season against Getafe. He was revived, but passed away three days later.

2) Espanyol's Daniel Jarque, heart stopped, while he was on the phone to his girlfriend in a Florence hotel during the 2009-10 pre-season.

3) Real Madrid's Ruben De La Red collapsed during a Copa del Rey game against Real Union at the start of the 2008-9 season. He has been told by the medical staff that he can no longer play.

4) In January 2010, Sevilla's Sergio Sanchez was diagnosed by the medical staff, after complaining of pains, with a serious heart condition. He was been seeing specialists and appears to have recovered and is now training with the club.

The press domestically and abroad are questioning the Spanish league's sporting and medical policies and practices. As a result, the Spanish medical societies and specialists are conducting a study on sudden deaths in athletes. The purpose is to analyze all deaths of sport players under 35 to determine the cause and address prevention efforts. According to the Spanish Sports Council, about 20 athletes die from heart related problems every year. Something has got to change.

Keeping Up with the Joneses Part 3

Keeping Up with the Joneses Part 3 – Attendance & Stadium Ownership

This is the third part in a series where we look at areas where the Spanish League can improve and learn from football leagues and other sports abroad. In part 3, we take a look at attendance and stadium ownership.

Spain pales in comparison to the German and English top leagues, is in the area of game day attendance. German stadiums are the best attended games in Europe. Their games are well attended and the price of a ticket is very affordable. England on the other hand is well attended, yet the price of the ticket is very expensive. The English league is more of a franchise that is concerned about the business and merchandise side of the game, whereas the German league still stays true to it’s grassroots and concerns of their supporters. True, football is more of a religion or way of life in Germany and England than in Spain, but much can be learned from how they are able to bring in a constant stream of revenues from game attendance, especially in smaller to mid-size cities.


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