Europe's economic SOS at one of its best moments in history
The club has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise between 150,000 and 300,000 euros.
BarcelonaApart from Barça, Europa is the only Catalan club in the top four categories of Spanish football that It is not a sports corporation (SAE). With all the limitations this entails, it is structured as a non-profit entity owned by its members, which "competes against ocean liners: clubs whose largest shareholders are Japanese, Swedish, Greek, or American billionaires," its president, Héctor Ibar, declared on Tuesday.
"With the double promotion of the men's and women's divisions, Europe is at a historic crossroads. We have competed in the Third and Second RFEF with responsible criteria and with the motto of not stretching our arm further than our sleeve, but in the First RFEF, which is a poorly designed and deficient category, the economic requirements are considerably superior and this forces us to find new sources of financing with imaginative formulas," added Ibar, accompanied by the captains, Jordi Cano and Clara Clemente, within the framework of the presentation of a crowdfunding campaign called We are the resistance.
Another football is possible
With this initiative, Europa aims to raise between 150,000 and 300,000 euros, "the minimum and the optimal" to face the next season in the First RFEF with financial guarantees. "Money isn't everything in the world of football, and we want to continue showing that you can compete with other tools, in a different way. We feel like the last bastion, and that's why the campaign is called... We are the resistance", Ibar commented.
One of the keys to the crowdfunding, which is already active, is the tax benefit offered to those who contribute. "Up to 250 euros, 80% of the amount can be deducted on your income tax return. And above that amount, 40%," explained Vice President Àlex López Vendrell, who was responsible for detailing the fine print of the campaign, aimed at Europa members and supporters. scapular club model.
"We want to appeal to all Europeanists, but not just them; we want to open the borders of Gràcia and Barcelona because we want to reach every lover of grassroots football who sees Europe as a benchmark for local, romantic, and authentic football. Everyone who has experienced a match at the Nou Fútbol Moderno. And we want to maintain that essence, that of a democratic, members-only club, where no wealthy foreign owner can determine our destiny," proclaimed López Vendrell, convinced that the club can be sustainable in the medium and long term if the crowdfunding campaign is successful.
Where will Europe play?
Aside from financing, one of the issues on the table is the pitch. According to the Spanish Football Federation's regulations, playing in the First Division requires a stadium with natural grass, and the Nou Sardenya is made of artificial turf. It's practically impossible to change the surface, so the club is fighting to change the regulation or, at the very least, obtain a moratorium of 12 to 18 months, instead of the six stipulated by law. "There's nothing new. We're taking action with the City Council. We'll play at the Nou Sardenya until January 15th, and if necessary, we'll have alternatives, but for now, we're not considering the scenario of leaving our stadium," Héctor Ibar said on the matter.