On May 19, 2022, Juanma Moreno, the President of the Junta de Andalucía, received CD UMA Antequera at the Government Delegation of the Junta de Andalucía in Malaga. The university team was the first club from the autonomous community to win the Copa de Rey. Their victory was unprecedented as a Second Division team, having defeated five First Division teams along the way. Four months later, they certified their promotion to the highest category of Spanish futsal and shared the award for the best Andalusian team with Real Betis Balompié.
However, this remarkable feat seems to have faded into oblivion, particularly for the new rector of the University of Malaga, Teodomiro López. His initial administrative decision, even before formally taking office, was to decree the provisional suspension of sports activities on February 12. This decision stemmed from the rejection by the Junta de Andalucía of the registration of CD UMA Antequera in the Andalusian registry of sports entities. As communicated in a letter sent on January 9.
The University of Malaga Sports Club, registered in the Andalusian Registry of Sports Entities since July 1, 1988, is a body created by the University of Malaga. Since 2018, the university has recognized the Sports Club as its own, facilitating its involvement in sports matters. However, in 2022, all Andalusian sports clubs were required to adapt their statutes to a new decree. Which the CD UMA failed to do by December 2023.
This failure led to the rejection of their statutes’ adaptation by the Territorial Delegation in Malaga of the Andalusian Government. Consequently, the university decided to suspend the club’s activities until the situation was clarified. Despite the club’s appeal to the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sports of the Board, uncertainty lingers.
Rector reaction
The University of Malaga’s stance, reinforced by the new rector, is that they cannot recognize CD UMA as their own means. As per the interpretation upheld by the Junta de Andalucía. This stance has drawn criticism, particularly regarding its impact on the club’s operations and morale.
The situation has escalated to the extent that CD UMA Antequera players and coaches are barred from accessing the university’s sports facilities since February 13. This move has not only disrupted their training but also exacerbated the club’s already delicate financial situation.
Despite these challenges, the club remains resilient, with players expressing determination to overcome the obstacles. Yet, their plight has attracted concern from various quarters, including the wider university community and other sports entities.
As the UMA Antequera team continues to fight for success on the field, their plight underscores broader issues of bureaucratic entanglements and the importance of supporting grassroots sports initiatives.
