Things Going From Bad To Worse In Valencia

By: chris | December 7th, 2007

Most people know about the plight of Valencia CF this season. They’ve been man-handled a couple of times in La Liga, sacked their coach Quique Sanchez Flores, then were unceremoniously dumped from the Champions League, the final knife being inserted by Schalke last week, but the majority of the bludgeoning being done by two losses to 5th place Norwegian finisher Rosenborg. Well things aren’t exactly doing so well on the other side of town with Levante UD. Despite Valencia being humbled by rival Villarreal in the first weekend, nobody had a worse start in Spain than Levante, and you could probably make the argument that statement expands into Europe, as well.

Levante are at world’s length from the term “powerhouse” - or even La Liga mainstay, it’s only their fifth season ever up top - but their start was just abysmal, gaining a solitary point up through the end of October, getting their coach fired in the process, and not tasting sweet victory until November 4th against Almeria. Firmly entrenching themselves in the Spanish basement.

Apparently that win worked wonders, as they won 3 of 4 games in November (2 La Liga, 1 Copa del Ray) and scored 9 goals in the process under new coach Gianni De Biasi - all this after being held scoreless during the entire month of October. Only their recent turnaround hasn’t helped matters, because they still aren’t getting paid.

According to Reuters:

Levante have run into financial problems because of increased expenses, lower than expected television revenues and bureaucratic delays to a plan to raise funds by selling their city-centre stadium.

As a result the Valencia-based club has fallen behind on its payments to players and staff, some of whom have denounced the club to the Spanish Players Union (AFE).

Levante were granted a 4-million euro ($5.82 million) guarantee by the local council last week in order to secure a bank loan to tide them over and settle some of their debts.

Obviously there is more money to be made by staying up in the top division, but it sounds like Levante has quite a bit more on their plate right now than playing fellow struggler Recreativo Huelva this weekend. As Mustapha Riga says:

“The club won’t call me to tell me anything. I’m under pressure from the bank, with accounts and loans to worry about.”

I understand these are adults playing a kids game and they probably make a decent sum of money as it is, but I’m pretty sure if any employer in any business isn’t paying their employees and not telling them anything about it, they have every reason to make a bit of a deal out of it. Anyway, sounds like everybody in Valencia is hoping Santa brings some nice presents for the holidays. Or at least some paychecks. (Minus Villarreal, they’re doing fine all by themselves.)