Spanish Spanish third division side Racing Santander has been "banned from next year's Copa del Rey after refusing to play" in Thursday's Copa del Rey match against Real Sociedad, according to FOOTBALL ESPANA. Racing "has been removed from next year's tournament" and fined €3,000 ($4,000). No players "have been punished individually" (FOOTBALL ESPANA, 1/31). The EFE reported former footballer Tuto Sañudo was appointed Racing's new president on Friday after "shareholders approved the resignation of the previous Santander Administrative Council and former President Ángel Lavín." Sañudo will be accompanied by actor Félix Álvarez "Felisuco," who will become the club's VP. Financial and labor adviser Raúl Serrano will become the new secretary, while former players Paco Liaño and Pedro Alba, economist David Bárcena and lawyers Marcos Rivas Novoa and Juan Gutiérrez were named club spokespersons. The "naming of those fulfilling these positions has been approved by Racing fans, who were invited to the decisive meeting by the club's majority shareholders" (EFE, 1/31).
