More money needed to save Oviedo
Real Oviedo president Toni Fidalgo believes that the campaign to raise funds required to stave off the immediate disappearance of the club has been a success, but more money is needed to secure its future.
• Oviedo need wealthy investor
After it emerged that Oviedo needed to raise significant money just to avoid going out of business by this weekend, a campaign was mounted among supporters in Spain and overseas.
Contributions from Real Madrid, former players including Juan Mata, Santi Cazorla and Michu, and ordinary fans worldwide organised via Twitter have now succeeded in keeping the club afloat for the moment.
"Within Oviedo's situation, there is a positive detail, as an error in the accounts was found and the immediate debt is not €1.9 million but €1.1 million," Fidalgo told AS. "However, to really assure the future of the club we must get to €2.5 million."
Fidalgo and his colleagues are still working on clearing up the club's accounts, which grew tangled over years of neglect and abuse under previous regimes.
As an example of the state of the accounts inherited by the current board, the Oviedo chief revealed it still remains unclear whether money might be owed from the transfer of Stan Collymore to the club from Bradford in 2000.
To escape from Spain's regional divisions may require further investment from a wealthy backer, with Granada owner Quique Pina reportedly considering making a €1 million investment in the club.
This move would likely dilute the power held by the current shareholders, who include the local town hall and fan groups, as well as those who have contributed in recent weeks.
Fidalgo, who would not comment on any individual names, said that fans would get behind an investor who had Oviedo's best interests at heart.
"We have spoken with 12 investors," he said. "Some are far away, others closer, and others very close. I do not think that the fans would be against an investor who could take Oviedo forward. Furthermore, it is impossible that those who come in could be worse than some who have passed through here."
