Juanjo Bataller says he is stepping down after a controversial members' meeting

Juanjo Bataller: «Fertiberia's current support will be insufficient to continue in the new ASOBAL Professional League»   Fertiberia BM Puerto Sagunto held its Ordinary and Extraordinary Members' Meeting at the Puerto de Sagunto Civic Centre, a session attended by 64 people. The meeting began with the reading and approval of the previous minutes, approval of the financial matters and authorisation for the board of directors and the club president to sign banking documents. The presidential table consisted of president Juanjo Bataller, accompanied by Rafa Manzano, the club treasurer, and Javier López Espes, the secretary.   Club president Juanjo Bataller thanked Fertiberia for its main sponsorship, stating that «Few companies get involved like Fertiberia», but regretted that «this support will be insufficient to continue in a Professional League; if we do not increase support, the team will not be able to remain in Asobal even if it achieves this sportingly». However, after the extraordinary session, Bataller stated that he was ‘stepping down’ after a group of 25 members criticised him for potentially relegating the second team to Primera Nacional if the first team loses its ASOBAL status for financial reasons. This decision was prompted by the possible loss of the grant from the Trinidad Alfonso Foundation, the grant from the Valencia Provincial Council and the club's limited sponsorship income.   The extraordinary session approved amendments to the club's statutes to bring them into line with the new state sports law. The authorisation for the board of directors, should it deem it appropriate for financial or budgetary reasons, to relinquish the second team's place in the 1st National Division remained unresolved. This final point was not without controversy, as several members opposed it, stating: «Dropping to Primera Nacional is a one-year sticking plaster and, in the end, there will be more expense in signing players from outside because we will lose people from the academy». They also said that the club was «putting a plaster on before having a wound, since this year's budget is balanced». The president explained that, looking ahead to next season, «the grant from the Trinidad Alfonso Foundation is not guaranteed, the extraordinary promotion grant from Sagunto Town Council will not be available, and the Provincial Council grant is also in doubt. There will be greater expenditure due to ASOBAL's professionalisation. Our outlook is higher costs and lower income. If a new sponsor emerges within the next couple of months, the situation would change. This board's mandate is not to spend more than we have».   Regarding the accounts for the previous and current seasons, Rafa Manzano gave an annual overview and stated that the 2022 financial year ended with a deficit of 3,118.78 euros and the 2022-23 season with a deficit of 11,318 euros. As for the accounts for the season as a whole, Manzano explained the income received, mainly from sponsors, with Fertiberia as the principal sponsor. He subsequently listed the grants received by the club, such as that from Sagunto Town Council and other regional institutions. Manzano stated that «we have spent what we have brought in».   Manzano added that the club had prepared a budget for the 2023/2024 season with income and expenditure of 586,000 euros (the total budget for the entire club), 100,000 euros more than the previous season «due to a contribution to be made by the town council and ASOBAL television or image rights».   Bataller expressed his gratitude to Fertiberia and noted regarding the budgeted income that «there is also an increase from the Trinidad Alfonso Foundation. In addition, an extraordinary grant approved by Sagunto Town Council has been estimated, as Rafa Manzano stated. On the other hand, we have got serious and hope to raise more than 5,000 euros, at a minimum, at the gate this year, and, if all goes well, more than €10,000».   Regarding expenditure, Bataller commented that «the ASOBAL affiliation fee is €75,000, but for tax purposes it is not considered an expense and the tax authorities consider that it must be amortised over three years, and it is not eligible for subsidy».   «There is no clear income for the 2024-25 season, which is why we need some room for manoeuvre. We need to renew Fertiberia's sponsorship and finalise the grant with the Provincial Council, as these are the resources we have to move forward», Bataller added.   Regarding sporting matters, Bataller told the members that «last season the first team had an exemplary campaign and we were league champions in DHP, but without the support of the Town Council, Fertiberia and the Trinidad Alfonso Foundation, we would not have been able to play in the top tier of Spanish handball. As for this year's team, I think it is a group that is working very hard to remain in Asobal». Bataller also listed the academy's results and achievements from last season, making special mention of the Primera Nacional team and stating that «the second team may have to play in the regional league for financial reasons».

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.