The Competition Committee alone holds the authority to determine promotions and relegations within the Third RFEF for Sports Crevillent and to decide ultimate placement for regional champions aiming to reach the higher tier. Following circular number 9 issued by the Valencia Community Football Federation (FFCV), the official document, publicly accessible on the federation’s website, clearly outlines the treatment of vacancies in the Sixth Group of the Third Division. It states that once all stages are completed and the planned promotions are in place, any remaining vacancies will be filled by the first-placed team among the five Preferred groups in the Regular League. The rule specifies that this situation would not trigger promotion in the second stage (the Play Off for Promotion to the Third RFEF).
The subsequent update makes the situation explicit: Crevillente Deportivo has effectively secured Third RFEF status despite a final loss on penalties to Patacona during the promotion match.
What gap remains to be addressed? Saguntino’s ascent to the Second RFEF has created a frame of reference within the Castellón region, prompting discussion about how the remaining teams fit into the new structure.
What explains the hesitation for celebration among the blue and white club? It appears that final decisions may require time and could involve intervention from the sports justice system, should disputes arise.
In this context, the federation’s stance has been questioned. Some commentators suggest that the provision of the affected slot might fall to Jove Español de San Vicente del Raspeig, while others speculate about a potential direct relegation through a process sometimes described as a “drag.”
What does the term drag mean in this framework? The circular also states that at least five teams will descend into the Preferred District League, specifically the teams ranked 15th through 19th in Group 6 of the Second League in the Valencia Community, unless teams in the B category are relegated from the Second RFEF.
When clubs from the Community find themselves relegated from the Second Division B (Second RFEF), and the cap of 16 teams for the Third Division in the 22/23 season is reached, any excess teams are to be moved to other regional categories such as the Preferred, 1st, or 2nd Region. This adjustment follows the rules described in RFEF Circular No. 98, which states that the excess teams will be allocated to the vacancies created by the teams just below them, maintaining a balance in the league structure.
Following Levante B’s move into the Third RFEF, the situation could trigger a drag for the club Jove Español, depending on how the federation’s rules are interpreted. The circular does not explicitly require that a tied team fill a vacancy; instead, it allows the best-performing club from the Preferred to assume the open spot. The interpretation rests with the sole judge of the Competition Court, and the circular leaves room for dispute or appeal by the clubs involved. Crevillente Deportivo has not formally acted, while Jove Español has actively posted on social media to preserve its protected category. The club sees the development as favorable, given Saguntino’s rise, and even celebrated when the news was reported.
The decision now lies with the Competition Committee. After the promotion playoffs conclude, the committee must determine which teams are promoted and which are relegated. Several aspects point to ongoing uncertainty rooted in the circular’s language, which could pose significant challenges for both the federation and clubs preparing for the next season. Although the document discusses the potential for five drags and vacancies, it also emphasizes that vacancies should be filled by the best-performing teams from the Preferred rather than through drags.
While this circular applies to regional contests, it could set a precedent for similar issues in other regional Spanish football events. The federation has stated that final interpretation and decisions are not its own prerogative but rather the responsibility of the sole judge who determines the promotions and relegations at the season’s end. Clubs that feel harmed by outcomes retain the option to pursue sports justice. In this context, the overarching aim remains clear: ensure a fair and orderly conclusion to each season while accommodating the various competitive outcomes within the Valencia region and beyond.