"It breaks with the amateur and local spirit": the reactions to Ibai Llanos' latest project

BarcelonaBureaucracy is always a difficult task, even more so in the middle of August when many workers are on vacation. City councils take longer to process licenses and concessions, but the football league kicks off and doesn't wait for anyone. This problem, which Barça is immersed in with the reopening of the Camp Nou, also affects Rōnin FC. The team created a few weeks ago by Estrumero Ibai Llanos is due to debut on September 21 (12 pm) at the Municipal del 25 de Septiembre in Rubí.

However, according to ARA, the new club still does not have the concession for the field. Rōnin has an agreement in principle with Juventud 25 de Septiembre, which currently has the concession, but as they are municipal facilities, validation by the Rubin council is still pending. During August, those responsible are not in attendance and, despite the fact that all the documentation has already been sent, Ibai Llanos is not expected to receive the final authorization to designate the Municipal 25 de Septiembre as his home until the first week of September. Both the club that currently holds the concession for the field and the City Council assure this media outlet that every possible facility will be provided to a Rōnin who will train three days a week and has scheduled matches for Sundays at 12 p.m.

The rest of the teams in the group, opposed to the Rōnin

The same level of joy isn't shared by the competitors in Group 25 of the Catalan Fourth Division, where Rōnin has been placed. The Peña Recreativa, one of the clubs fighting to return to the Catalan Third Division, speaks of "adulterated competition," although they acknowledge that if the Catalan Football Federation allows it, they can't do anything. Another candidate fighting for first place is Esparreguera, who admit that it will be difficult to compete against these clubs that can access higher-level players, but they see it as an opportunity to face great players.

Sant Andreu de la Barca also expresses a similar sentiment. Although they haven't designed a project to fight for promotion, they assert that the presence of these clubs "generates a significant imbalance compared to what is usual in the category, where the majority of teams are modest entities with a vocation for training and community." However, the Catalan Football Federation is not considering implementing any measures to limit salaries for amateur categories, as "it is not the direct responsibility of the FCF, nor are there any regulatory precedents," according to ARA.

At Penya Blaugrana de Castellbisbal, where their reserve team will also be part of Group 25, they compare it to other clubs designed to seek promotion. "It can be somewhat unfair that famous people can bring in players who otherwise wouldn't come, but money has always been involved in football. I think it's more of an adulteration of the competition, with some big clubs selling out and destroying the youth system."

On the other hand, the presence of a striker in the lowest division of Catalan football generates greater visibility, both for the league and for the teams participating. However, the clubs emphasize that it's a double-edged sword, as it can demotivate squads if they see they can't fight for the set goal. All of this "breaks with the amateur and local spirit of the Cuarta Catalana," say Sant Andreu. "Having cameras available to cover our club will help raise awareness of our club," added the Peña Blaugrana de Castellbisbal. The FCF emphasizes that this impact helps place Catalan football on the international stage, as the matches will be watched by people outside of Catalonia.

The failed project of the Buyer brothers

Ibai Llanos is not the only one influencer who has wanted to enter the world of sport. For years the Buyer brothers (YouTubers) have a futsal team, the XBuyer Team, which plays its matches in Castelldefels and which last season achieved promotion to the National Third Division. This year they wanted to make the leap to 11-a-side football with the help of the Peña Barcelonista Sant Feliu de Llobregat, which will compete in the same Catalan Fourth Division group as the Llanos team. The merger agreement has not come to fruition, but according to ARA, the YouTubers will remain as sponsors of the team.

The Sant Feliu de Llobregat City Council has blocked the creation of a new team in the city to play at the Municipal Les Grases stadium. The lack of sports facilities means they are giving priority to local clubs. "Right now, the football offer is already covered," says Sports Councilor Iván Martín. If they decide to change the name, crest, and kits, they will lose the license to play at the stadium, according to the city council.