Elche thrown out of La Liga over financial woes

Elche's debts have seen them enter administration, and on Friday morning a judge ruled that they must suffer relegation to the Segunda Division.

The LFP's statement said that Elche has also been fined €180,000, with the severity of the punishment explained as a reaction to Elche having already fallen foul of rules in the past but failing to put things right.

Elche were promoted to La Liga as champions of the second tier in 2013, finishing 16th and 13th since then and drawing averaging crowds of over 25,000.

Elche have already said they would appeal if they were relegated over the tax debts, which they have insisted are due to be settled in full by the end of July.

The club owes around €4 million, local media have reported.

"This is the biggest injustice that Spanish football has committed," Elche president Juan Anguix told reporters. "We will take the fight to be proved right as far as we can."

An LFP spokeswoman confirmed Eibar would replace Elche in La Liga next season.

Basque club Eibar were playing in the top-flight for the first time in 2014-15 and went down on the final day of the season after finishing 18th.