Jonathas goes to Real Sociedad and leaves 600,000 euros to Elche
J. Palomar
Valencia-based businessman Basilio José López facilitated a significant contract with Elche CF years earlier, acquiring half of the economic rights for potential transfers over an eight-year horizon. The deal involved Anguix as agent and close associate of López, and followed the period of the Pexin incidents. In a moment of heightened tension for the club, López reportedly pledged an 800,000 euro contribution to Elche. The dynamics surrounded the club’s leadership, including the ascent of Juan Anguix to club presidency on April 28, 2015, after the resignation of Jose Sepulcre. Pressures from local officials at the time contributed to the leadership change, with assurances that Elche possessed funds to address treasury obligations, a factor that threatened admission to relegation proceedings if mismanaged.
After the relegation decision, Anguix stepped down amid public acclaim. The club entered a bankruptcy process, with hopes that new owners, bolstered by stakeholder and fan support, would prevent a second relegation to the lower tier. During the transition, the club’s financial chief, Jose Francisco Fernandez, instructed Villa Gordo to honor a 363,000 euro invoice from Eventos Petxina SL via a bank transfer. The episode highlighted the fragility of the club’s finances during the transition and the external pressures facing Elche CF.
In related developments, Anguix’s tenure coincided with the sale of Jonathas de Jesús to Real Sociedad, a move perceived as pivotal for the club’s finances. The timing magnified concerns about the club’s revenue streams, with the transfer generating 600,000 euros that could be directed toward consolidating Elche’s economic position. Eyewitness accounts and the court record describe a tense atmosphere around the club’s finances as Elche navigated a difficult period.
Juan Anguix emerged as a central figure in the Elche narrative, with his leadership scrutinized as the club faced debt obligations and the risk of relegation. The agreement with Basilio López and Eventos Pexina, under Anguix’s watch, was viewed by many as a strategic maneuver that favored certain stakeholders while placing financial stress on Elche’s broader stakeholder base. These events occurred at a time when the club faced substantial debts and ongoing financial scrutiny.
Public records show that, at the height of the governance crisis, Anguix faced questions about the handling of a crucial transfer and the corresponding payments. The transfer order and related communications during the late July 2015 period were a focal point for investigators, who examined whether the club’s leadership acted in the club’s best interests or aligned with private interests that could undermine Elche’s economic stability. The broader context includes concerns about the club’s ability to meet transfer-related debts before key deadlines, a factor that contributed to discussions about governance and accountability.
In hindsight, Anguix’s resignation was framed as a turning point for Elche CF. The club’s future was placed in the hands of local businessmen and supporters who sought to steer it through a difficult financial landscape while preserving its competitive status. The transitional period raised questions about governance, responsibility, and the boundaries between personal relationships and institutional duties within the club’s leadership.
As the club moved forward, the broader narrative around Anguix included references to a controversial 5 million euro promissory note issue described by Liga President Javier Tebas. That episode did not lead to immediate sanctions but was cited in debates about the club’s governance and regulatory compliance during the season of turmoil. The resulting administrative relegation in 2015 underscored the high stakes involved in club administration and the consequences of decisions taken during a period of financial strain. [citation: Provincial Court decision]
Anguix’s case also opened a broader inquiry into alleged identity-related fraud linked to a person identified as Luis Sans, within the ongoing investigation into the so‑called fraudulent promissory note matter. The implications of these allegations extended beyond personal culpability, touching on governance practices at Elche CF and related entities during a critical era for the club. [citation: State Court records]