The RFEF Addresses Concerns of Hércules and Ibiza, Match Rescheduled to 21:15

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has responded to the complaints from Hércules and Ibiza regarding their scheduled match at 16:00 on Sunday. The game, part of the second round, will now take place on Saturday, 6th September at 21:15.

"The decision is based on the logistical challenges our club faced in arranging travel and return for the team, as well as the preference for a night-time match due to safety concerns over the expected high temperatures," Hércules stated in their announcement.

Blanquiazul coach Rubén Torrecilla described playing at 16:00 as "madness" due to the high temperatures. Meanwhile, club officials lamented the difficulty in securing hotels and flights on short notice. Hércules had been requesting the match schedule from the RFEF for weeks to make early reservations, but received no response from Madrid, leaving them pressed for time.

Ibiza's coach Paco Jémez expressed solidarity with Hércules, and his press conference remarks went viral, given his media presence as a former Rayo coach. "If you tell Hércules players they have to travel to Ibiza with only eight days' notice, it's impossible. We all know the situation on the island: accommodating 45 people in a hotel and finding available flights is unfeasible. We ask the RFEF for more empathy," Jémez stated.

Apart from this controversy, Hércules is fully focused on their league debut this Saturday (21:30) at Rico Pérez against Tarazona. Torrecilla will have his entire squad available, except for Puerto Rican Jeremy de León, who is in the final stages of recovering from a shoulder injury and is expected to return to competition in a few weeks. The latest signings, full-back Javi Jiménez and midfielder Vique Gomes, might be on the bench this Saturday despite having only recently joined their new teammates.

The blanquiazul club, seeking a U23 goalkeeper to complete their squad, has announced eleven signings so far: full-back Javi Jiménez (Ibiza); centre-backs Nacho Monsalve (Eldense), Adrián Bolo (Zamora), and Javier Rentero (Alcorcón); midfielders Ben Hamed (Amorebieta) and Vique Gomes (Villarreal); wingers Jeremy de León (Real Madrid) and Carlos Rojas (Almería); attacking midfielder Unai Ropero (Alavés); and forwards Slavy (Eibar) and Fran Sol (AEK Larnaca).

This list does not include full-back Xavi Pleguezuelo, who was signed this summer from Betis B but has already parted ways with Hércules after failing to impress in pre-season and has joined Espanyol B.