OFFICIAL: Primera Iberdrola Will Return On October 4

The RFEF has officially confirmed that Primera Iberdrola football will commence on October 4:

- La Comisión Gestora da luz verde al calendario, tras aprobarse el protocolo sanitario y llegar a un acuerdo con los clubes.

- Reto Iberdrola, que modifica su modelo para ajustarse al calendario se iniciará el 17 y 18 de octubre.

- Se aprueban las normas de competición, con disposiciones extraordinarias por COVID, 5 cambios y más jugadoras profesionales.

La Comisión Gestora de la Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF) ha aprobado hoy adelantar la Primera Iberdrola al fin de semana del 3 y 4 de octubre, una vez que el CSD ha dado luz verde al protocolo para poder comenzar las competiciones y, tras alcanzar un acuerdo con los clubes participantes, que han apoyado esta decisión de forma unánime.

De esta manera, la primera jornada de la Primera División de Fútbol Femenino se iniciará en esta fecha, mientras que la Reto Iberdrola, que cambia de formato para adaptarse al calendario, se inicia el fin de semana del 17 y 18 de octubre.

Asimismo, se han aprobado las normas de competición, que incluyen disposiciones extraordinarias por COVID 19 contemplando distintos supuestos, suben a 5 los cambios que se pueden realizar en un partido (antes eran 4), y amplían el número de jugadoras con ficha profesional obligatorias. De esta manera, en Primera División serán un mínimo de 14 (frente a las 12 anteriores) y en Reto un mínimo de 6 (frente a las 4 anteriores).

En cuanto al formato de Reto Iberdrola, o Segunda División, los dos grupos existentes (Norte y Sur) se dividen en dos subgrupos cada uno, de 8 y 9 equipos, respectivamente, aplicando el criterio de proximidad geográfica. Los subgrupos A (de 8 equipos) disputarán un total de 14 partidos en 14 jornadas y los subgrupos B (de 9 equipos) jugarán 16 partidos en 18 jornadas.

Asimismo, la competición se disputará en dos fases, una primera de liga regular y una segunda con etapas específicas. En la segunda, cada uno de los grupos Norte y Sur, los cuatro mejores de cada subgrupo formarán un nuevo conjunto o subgrupo de ascenso (8 equipos), que disputarán el título de Campeón de Grupo.

El subgrupo de descenso, formado por los restantes, lucharán por la permanencia en Segunda División. Los subgrupos de ascenso y descenso se enfrentarán contra los que no compitieron en la Primera Fase. Para determinar el ascenso o descensos se arrastrará la clasificación de la Primera Fase por coeficientes.

Translation:

- The Management Commission gives the green light to the proposed calendar, after approving the health protocol and reaching an agreement with the clubs.

- Reto Iberdrola, which modifies its model to adjust to the calendar, will begin on October 17 and 18.

- Competition rules are approved, with extraordinary provisions for COVID; 5 substitutes and more professional players allowed.

The Management Commission of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has approved today to bring the Primera Iberdrola forward to the weekend of October 3 and 4, once the CSD has given the green light to the protocol to start the competitions and after reaching an agreement with the participating clubs, which have unanimously supported this decision.

In this way, the first day of Primera Iberdrola will begin on this date, while the Reto Iberdrola, which changes its format to adapt to the calendar, begins on the weekend of October 17 and 18.

Likewise, the competition rules have been approved, which include extraordinary provisions for COVID 19 contemplating different cases: the amount of possible substitutes in a match has been increased to 5 (previously there were 4) and the pool of available players has been expanded. In Primera there will be a minimum of 14 (compared to the previous 12) and in Reto Iberdrola a minimum of 6 (compared to the previous 4).

Regarding the format of Reto Iberdrola, or the second division, the two existing groups (North and South) are divided into two subgroups of 8 and 9 teams, respectively, applying the criterion of geographical proximity. Subgroup A (8 teams) will play a total of 14 games in 14 days and subgroup B (9 teams) will play 16 games in 18 days.

Likewise, the competition will be played in two phases — phase one in the regular league and a second phase with specific stages. In the second phase, the best four of each subgroup from the North and South groups will form a new group or subgroup for promotion (8 teams) to contest for the title of Group Champion.

The relegation subgroup, formed by the rest, will fight to stay in the second division. The promotion and relegation subgroups will face off against those who did not compete in the first phase. To determine promotion and relegation, the classification of the first phase will be influenced by coefficients.

Additionally, Mayca Jiménez of AS is reporting that the Primera Iberdrola will have a single group, discarding the option of dividing the league into two groups (which many people were against). She also notes that no mention is made of the Copa de la Reina, which was postponed by COVID-19 at the semifinals stage.

Furthermore, Rayo Vallecano will not debut alongside the other teams. They only started their preseason this Monday, as they had suspended activity in the women’s team in the absence of the official CSD protocol. Once they received official confirmation, Rayo began preparations and have taken up their right to undergo 30 days of pre-season. Real Madrid Femenino will also not play on the first day of the league restart. Like the men’s side, their match has been postponed.