La Liga's Malaga Facing New Financial Reality, Forced To Sell Players

La Liga Malaga released a statement suggesting "it will be selling players to survive," according to AS. In the statement, the team also "explained what its new financial reality would be." The changes have already begun. Sports Director Antonio Fernandez "has been asked to leave his position." In addition to selling Santi Cazorla to Arsenal, Malaga will "attempt to sell some of its main players" (AS, 8/2). In Madrid, Jesus Ballesteros reported that Cazorla going to Arsenal "is only the first operation" that Malaga is trying to close in order to achieve enough financial liquidity to resolve its debt from prior deals with Villareal, Osasuna and River Plate. Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini will also leave the team since it cannot "cope with the salary that he receives" (MARCA, 8/2).