Hercules supporters stay determined. Blue-and-white fans continue voicing their concerns about Enrique Ortiz’s management, even during the Hogueras Mascletás in Luceros. After the large gathering in central Alicante, tensions are at their peak, and street protests persist. There is a notable stillness at Rico Pérez—public movement appears limited for the moment.
This Friday (11.30), Rico Pérez is expected to see activity at gate 0 as Xavier Lopez, spokesperson for the United We Can EUPV municipal group, and Natxo Bellido, spokesperson for the municipal Compromís group, prepare a formal statement about the state of Hercules CF SAD at the city plenary on the 30th of this month.
This will be the second official statement about Hercules at a plenary meeting. Last year, all municipal groups unanimously expressed solidarity with Hercules fans due to the team’s disappointing performance after relegation to the fourth tier of Spanish football. Mayor Luis Barcala read a joint statement emphasizing solidarity with the fans who felt both fascination and dismay at the club’s trajectory.
Subsequently, the City Council urged the present owners of the blue and white property to act with generosity and responsibility to defend the interests of Sociedad Anónima Deportiva, a club that represents more than just a company; it stands as one of the city’s defining institutions. At the same time, the Council called for a collaborative approach to address the team’s decline and to find joint solutions that could benefit both the club and the broader sports community.
Ortiz’s Hercules, two decades of debate
Cesar Hernandez
The corporate statement resulted in the transfer of this matter to Hercules’ owners last year. Before the unanimous approval, Enrique Tébar, president of the Herculanos Association, spoke during the City Council plenary.
One year later, the action echoes again weeks after a street demonstration in Alicante, where supporters read a manifesto in the city center.
Barcala stresses he cannot remove Ortiz
Pedro Rojas
Format change in the play-offs
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) proposed returning to a two-leg playoff format with home-and-away matches starting in the 2022-2023 season for the Second B and the Second RFEF, with similar logic applied to the First and Third RFEF categories.
The federation reminded that the final stage had been conducted at a single venue during the pandemic to ensure completion of competitions.
Following consultations with regional federations and clubs, the RFEF recommended a return to the traditional two-leg format for qualifiers when feasible.
In the Second RFEF, the approach would be the same for the Persistence Tournament, which involves the bottom finishers from each group—those occupying the thirteenth place.
Three days earlier, the RFEF announced ongoing dialogue with clubs across the First, Second, and Third divisions about single-match qualifiers at designated venues to improve competition after the controversial playoff format used in the 21-22 season.
The format drew criticism for leaving many stadiums sparsely attended, especially during key matches. Local clubs and a few nearby teams were accompanied by fan support, but vast distances and costs kept many followers away.
Hercules’ latest playoff appearance was noted as the focal point of this discussion, with fans, clubs, and players voicing concerns about a model that gained traction during the pandemic but may no longer fit the current landscape.
While the federation benefited from the playoff format as it spread competition across venues, it also sought dialogue with clubs to explore open options. The provincial government has not endorsed continuing the playoff dispute in Alicante for three consecutive seasons, suggesting the format might be revised in the near term.