La Liga 2 play offs and relegation - some progress

spanishman

Well-known member
It is not just the Championship that is looking at legal action taking place....

Last night was a step forward for La Liga 2. The Deportivo vs. Fuenlabrada match that was postponed on 20 July was played last night. It had been cancelled at the last minute due to Fuenlabrada having coronavirus cases.

Fuenlabrada needed a draw or a win to replace Elche in the final play off place. A win for Deportivo would move them one place up the league. Up to 4th from bottom but still in a relegation place.

Fuenlabrada travelled with a squad of 15 players. Only 7 of them from the first team squad. All 7 had to play all of the match. As there is a rule that says you must play at least 7 first team players for all the time in a match. So if one was injured or sent off the match would be cancelled. With a win awarded to Deportivo.

Fuenlabrada took an early lead after 11 minutes. They held it until the 84th minute. At that point Deportivo equalised. 5 minutes into injury time Deportivo were awarded a penalty after a VAR review (we have it in the Spanish equivalent of the Championship). They scored and the final result was 2-1.

This means that the play offs are now on schedule for being played on their revised dates - Thursday 13 and Sunday 16 August (Girona vs. Almería & Zaragoza vs. Elche). With the two match final scheduled for Thursday 20 and Sunday 23 August.

According to Wiki the rules for the play offs are a little different from the UK:

"The regulations are the same as the previous season: in the semifinals the fifth placed team faces the fourth, while the sixth placed team faces the third. Each tie is played over two legs, with the team lower in the table hosting the first leg. The team that scores more goals on aggregate over the two legs advances to the next round. If the aggregate score is level, the away goals rule is applied, i.e., the team that scores more goals away from home over the two legs advances. If away goals are also equal, then thirty minutes of extra time is played. The away goals rule is again applied after extra time, i.e., if there are goals scored during extra time and the aggregate score is still level, the visiting team advances by virtue of more away goals scored. If no goals are scored during extra time, the winner will be the best positioned team in the regular season."

If Fuenlabrada had qualified for the play offs these dates would have been in doubt. Due to possible legal action.

There is still likely to be some legal fights about what happens to Fuenlabrada, Deportivo and Numancia (3rd from bottom). For example, with possible sanctions against Fuenlabrada for travelling to the match on 20 July. Without notifying anyone that they had players that had tested positive for coronavirus. They may be relegated.

Another option that I think Numancia is pushing for is La Liga 2 to have 24 teams for next season (for 1 season only). Rather than the normal 22 teams.

So watch this space for the next twists and turns.
 
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