The Spanish Football League (LFP) and Real Murcia have been called by Madrid judge Javier Vaquer to appear in court on Thursday, "where the court will listen to the arguments from both parties" in the controversy to relegate the club to the third tier, according to Juan José Mateo of EL PAIS. This "was the court's reaction to a statement released by the LFP, in which it argued that it was impossible to follow a judge's order" to allow Real Murcia to participate in the second division. On Thursday in court, "two days before the start of this season," LFP President Javier Tebas and his organization will "explain that the Spanish Football Federation's (RFEF) denial to expand the second division from 22 to 23 teams makes Murcia's presence impossible." In the LFP's judgment, "it is Mirandés which should occupy that spot." Murcia President Jesús Samper underlined that the LFP's decision represents a "legal aberration." Murcia said in a statement, "The LFP, after what took place yesterday, where a travesty was demonstrated, has culminated its fifth day outside the margin of the law. ... This abrupt injustice completely disqualifies the LFP, which is also becoming a legal insurgent. From the start of the conflict or 'Real Murcia case,' the LFP has shown its firm will to exclude our club from the competition" (EL PAIS, 8/19). The EP reported Murcia, Spain Mayor Miguel Angel Cámara contacted Spanish Superior Sports Council (CSD) President Miguel Cardenal in a letter in which he "urged Cardenal to intervene in the unheard of situation created around Real Murcia." Angel Cámara pointed out the Madrid court's ruling that demanded that the LFP "suspend the relegation" of Real Murcia (EP, 8/19).
