Salerm Puente Genil will not be a rival for Real Balompédica Linense in Group X of Tercera Federación next season. The Cordoban team has earned the right to occupy the place left by CD Unión Malacitano SAD in Segunda RFEF, as their inscription request was denied. The RFEF resolution, dated July 30, awards the spot to Puente Genil based on superior sporting merit, having been the best-ranked among the relegated teams from Group IV of Segunda RFEF last campaign.
The Cordoban club submitted several documents between July 27 and 30, claiming their right based on their sporting classification. They now have two business days to formalize their inscription and meet the administrative and economic requirements. The team is expected to return to Segunda RFEF, the category from which they were relegated.
The RFEF must now decide which team will fill the vacancy in Group X of Tercera Federación. A similar precedent occurred in 2022, when Estepona was administratively promoted and their place was taken by Maracena. The Andalusian Football Federation (RFAF) might follow this criterion and grant the spot to Montilla CF, fourth in Group I of the División de Honor Sénior. However, other media suggest that the same system used for Segunda RFEF could be applied, benefiting Sevilla C, the best-ranked among the relegated teams from Group X of Tercera Federación.
Montilla C.F. has expressed its conviction that it holds the best sporting right to occupy the place, based on federation regulations. Meanwhile, Sevilla C also aims to regain its spot after Malacitano's non-inscription. A resolution is expected in the coming hours to finalize the composition of the leagues for the 2026/27 season.
Puente Genil's promotion could ease the competition for Balona in their fight for the top positions in Group X of Tercera Federación.
