Deportivo wait in vain

Spanish third division side Hospitalet could be expelled from the Copa del Rey after failing to turn up for their third-round meeting with RC Deportivo La Coruña on Tuesday. 

Official ruling
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) ruled that, because Deportivo objected to playing the tie on Hospitalet's artificial pitch, the match was to be held at FC Barcelona's Mini stadium.

Six fans
But Hospitalet, who beat Real Sociedad in the previous round, remained true to their word by refusing to show at the rearranged venue, leaving Deportivo to warm up on the pitch in front of a mere six fans while they waited in vain for their opponents to appear.

Referee waited
Referee Eduardo González followed the federation rules to the letter and waited 30 minutes for Hospitalet to turn up before awarding the tie to Deportivo.

'Regulations clear'
A spokesman for the RFEF confirmed the federation's stance and explained a decision will be made in the immediate future. "It is very clear in the regulations that if a team do not turn up they will be disqualified," he said. "The competition committee of the Spanish Football Federation will have to make that ruling in the following days."