Hasta luego, Alvaro.

Hasta luego Rosita.

Cup games on atm. Elche-Villarreal and Osasuna-Malaga, currently 0-0 and 1-0 (2-2 and 4-3 on aggregate) respectively

Wireless enthusiast intercepts government secret radio band and uncovers secrets and scandals of deceitful type proportions.

Olimpic de Xativa video recorded in their final training session ahead of the return leg of their Copa del rey tie at the Bernabeu:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyoi4NnZdc0

Valencians.

Valencia looking for a manager Pinky. Any ideas? Bielsa's one of the names being thrown about here - could be a masterstroke or could simply add to the chaos.

Ioag reckon Ancelotti will play a stronger team against Madrid this time round?

For madrid rather

What happened to Quique Sánchez Flores?

He's raking petrodollars together somewhere in the Persian gulf

Valencia looking for a manager Pinky. Any ideas? Bielsa's one of the names being thrown about here - could be a masterstroke or could simply add to the chaos.
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Juan Sheet - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-DTiylX7Eo

Shame. I liked him as a manager.

Afternoon

LRF

Hi IOAG. You ok mate?

Yep, just winding up the working day. Now for some lunch. Yes, this late!

You live in England or Spain? If it's England, 15:09 is very late indeed! But it is very late either way.

I've been off work sick. Not exactly 'off work' but I've scheduled all my Interviews to be re-done for tomorrow.

Barcelona and Real Madrid are among seven Spanish football clubs being investigated by the European Commission over public funding.

Fellow La Liga sides Valencia, Athletic Bilbao, Osasuna and Elche, as well as Segunda Division outfit Hercules, are also under the spotlight as the Commission attempts to establish whether state aid received by the clubs complies with regulations set by the European Union.

A statement on the body's website read: "The European Commission has opened three distinct in-depth investigations to verify whether various public support measures in favour of certain Spanish professional football clubs are in line with EU state aid rules.

"None of the measures was notified to the Commission, who was alerted by concerned citizens.

"The Commission has concerns that these measures provided significant advantages to the beneficiary clubs to the detriment of the clubs which have to operate without such support.

"The opening of an in-depth investigation gives Spain and interested third parties an opportunity to comment on the measures under examination; it does not prejudge its outcome."

Going into further detail with regards to the nature of the trio of investigations, the statement continued: "The Commission will firstly investigate possible tax privileges for Real Madrid CF, Barcelona CF, Athletic Club Bilbao, and Club Atletico Osasuna.

"In another inquiry it will assess whether a widely reported land transfer between the City of Madrid and the club Real Madrid CF involved any state aid in favour of the club.

"Finally, it will examine the compliance with EU state aid rules of guarantees given by the State-owned Valencia Institute of Finance for loans that were used to finance the three Valencia clubs Valencia CF, Hercules CF and Elche CF, while those clubs were seemingly undergoing financial difficulties."

Commission vice president in charge of competition policy Joaquin Almunia added: "Professional football clubs should finance their running costs and investments with sound financial management rather than at the expense of the taxpayer.

"Member States and public authorities must comply with EU rules on state aid in this sector as in all economic sectors."

Not good for them.

Real Madrid will be relegated

Hiya Wummy

I don't understand (if these assumptions are true) why Barca and Real Madrid need to make this sort of act really? They've got a lot of money already and can easily make it by selling players and are 2 of the most richest clubs in the World, so do they really need that? Unless this is something that has continued for years, who knows.

I could maybe understand Valencia as they have a whole load of debt to pay off themselves, but it is fraud really. Elche don't have that much neither Hercules either so I can understand them trying it as well.

But Barca and RM, why?

LRF with regard to Real Madrid and Barcelona, they are not so much guilty as fraud as getting preferential treatment- along with Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna of course. What this relates to is that in Spain these clubs are exempt from converting from football clubs to sports limited companies, whereas all other clubs have to do this. The issue is that their corporation tax is 25% whereas for the rest of Spanish football it is 30%. Unfair.

As for the case involving Madrid individually, it was about a land deal nearly fifteen years ago.

The information about the Valencian clubs I posted an article on the Villarreal board nearly a year ago, that for me isn't so much a sporting issue as a moral issue in that I question why funds would go to any club regardless of who they are whilst living standards are being squeezed in an economy that is struggling badly.

Also seen the news that Puyol may retire before the end of the season.