Celta celebrations cut short
Friday, June 10, 2005
Article summary
RC Celta de Vigo's promotion has been overturned after the Spanish FA imposed a three-point penalty.
Article body
RC Celta de Vigo's promotion celebrations have been cut short after the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) imposed a three-point deduction on the club for fielding an ineligible player.
Moral dilemma
The Galician side thought they had won a return to the Primera División after their 3-1 victory at Xerez CD last weekend, but the game has now been awarded as a 3-0 win to their opponents after it emerged Toni Moral was ineligible. The Celta reserve striker broke an RFEF rule which stipulates that in order to play in the final four games a player must have appeared in at least ten other matches earlier in the season or in all the five previous matches.
Eibar encounter
Despite the loss of the three points, Celta remain top of the Segunda División, level on points with Deportivo Alavés with Cadíz CF in third on 70 points, while RC Recreativo de Huelva and SD Eibar are tied on 69. Victory against Eibar in the penultimate round of matches on Sunday will see Celta win promotion.
