The Eibar model: another kind of football is possible

Despite two successive promotions, Elbar's eligibility to compete in the top flight of Spanish football was contingent on them increasing their capital by 2million Euros, in accordance with La Liga's financial stipulations. ​The club ​launched​ a ​social media campaign​, Defend Elbar,​​ that saw their shareholder count soar from 1,800, based in Elbar alone, to 10,000 worldwide, raising the capital required. ​W​ith a budget of​ only ​16million euros and a stadium capacity of ​just​ 5000​,​ ​Elbar were ​​​the smallest club in the league. ​T​hey finished in the bottom three and ​were​ relegated on goal difference​. They were ​subsequently reinstated​ when Elche were found to have broken the Financial Fair Play rules. Two games into the new season, Elbar are currently top of the league.
Subscribe for more ► http://is.gd/GuardianFootball

GUARDIAN FOOTBALL SHOWS:
Talking Points: Serie A ► http://is.gd/SerieA
Talking Points: La Liga ► http://is.gd/LaLiga
Talking Points: Bundesliga ►http://is.gd/Bundesliga
Talking Points: Ligue 1 ► http://is.gd/Ligue1
Guardian Football Show ► http://is.gd/FootballShow
Your Shout ► http://is.gd/YourShout

STAY CONNECTED WITH GUARDIAN FOOTBALL:
Like football? ► http://fb.me/GuardianFootball
Like sport? ► http://fb.me/GuardianSport
Follow us ►   / guardian_sport  
Official Guardian Football ► http://www.theguardian.com/football