ESPANYOL LET GO OF COACH

Barcelona, June 28: Lastplace Espanyol fired coach Abelardo Fernandez on Saturday, eve of their home game against Spanish league leader Real Madrid.

Joaqun Prez Rufete, the team’s sporting director, will replace Fernandez through the end of the season.

Espanyol said the decision was based on the team’s performances and “in hopes of keeping the club in the first division. Espanyol is eight points from safety with seven rounds left. It resumed the season with a win against Alavs, then drew with Getafe and lost to Levante and Real Betis.”

Fernandez released a statement saying he was eternally grateful for his time with the Barcelona-based club. — AP