The Club Deportivo Orientación Marítima has stated in a statement that the accusation made by C.D. Tahíche regarding the "ruthless campaign" to prevent it from playing in the Youth Division of Honor category this season "is not supported by any conclusive evidence." However, they acknowledge that they "considered and consider" that this group "could not have an odd number of teams", as it could lead to an adulteration of the competition.
With this letter, they wanted to address "the misunderstandings they have incurred and that have damaged the image of our entity," they assure from Marítima. In response to the accusation by C.D. Tahíche of carrying out a "ruthless and tiresome campaign" to prevent this club from "playing" in the Youth Division of Honor category, Marítima has detailed the problems it believes would have been generated if Group VI (Canary Islands) in the Division of Honor had an odd number of teams.
Among them, it has referred to the "prolongation in time of the competition", with its corresponding economic damage; "playing matches during the week that interfere with the players' school year"; the fact that each week a team has to rest, "with the possibility of generating speculations according to their classification"; and the "increase in the number of teams that are relegated." That is why the club acknowledges that it submitted a letter to the Las Palmas Football Federation "expressing its disagreement" and suggesting, "in order not to harm anyone, an even group" that would be "of eighteen" teams and "four that are relegated." However, this suggestion was not heeded, so they assure that "unreasonableness has prevailed."
"We requested a total of eleven players"
In its statement, CDO Marítima also defends itself against Tahíche's accusation about its alleged attempt to "recruit players" by inventing "the excuse" that it was not going to be in the competition. In this sense, they allege from Marítima that "the Appeals Committee of the Spanish Federation and later the TAD" resolved a claim in such a way that "C.D. Tahíche was left out of the competition." They also add that "even the Federation issued the official calendar of Group VI of the Division of Honor for the 2016/2017 season" without the presence of Tahíche.
That is why they requested from C.D. Tahíche, "which according to all the documentation was relegated, a total of eleven players" from Team A and B so that "these boys would have the opportunity to continue competing," they explain from Marítima. "At no time was there any talk with any player," they add.
In relation to the accusation of malpractice in the recruitment of players, the club assures its "good predisposition." In the letter, they give as an example that Tahíche "has incorporated nineteen players into its squad" from Marítima, while this club "has allowed only one player to leave its discipline to join ours."
"They reveal hidden grudges"
The facilities of C.D.O. Marítima were also the subject of criticism from Tahíche, who claimed that they "do not meet the dimensions or the safety to play Football 8 matches." Faced with this, they affirm in the club that they have the validation of the Provincial Football Federation. They also comment that it would be "interesting" to call the rest of the teams so that "all the clubs on the island have the appropriate facilities" and "a headquarters"; as well as "adequate subsidies in time and order."
Regarding the improper alignment of C.D. San José, by a player who played in the ranks of C.D.O. Marítima, they comment that "if this Club had information of such circumstance", they would have "presented said claim." Likewise, about the fact that C.D. Tahíche does not invite them to their tournaments, they believe that they are not "very successful" words, that "reveal more than the values of a club, the hidden grudges" and that they are "a consequence of the misinterpretation of sports rivalry."
They also assert in the letter that they do not want to enter "into a stupid and incoherent all-out war" and that they hope that this will serve for C.D. Tahíche to "reflect" on the accusations made and "start a new season working for its base in an appropriate way, as we know it is doing lately." Likewise, C.D.O. Marítima affirms that it has open doors to any agreement or collaboration with any club on the island, "including C.D. Tahíche."