Malaga denied match postponement over lack of players

The Costa del Sol club had requested the game be postponed due to international call-ups, suspensions and injuries meaning they cannot meet their quota of players for the clash.

Regulations state that clubs throughout La Liga - the top two divisions of Spanish football - must be fielding at least seven first-team squad players at any time, meaning Malaga cannot simply dip into their youth squad.

The Andalusian club cannot afford to make the youth players first-team squad players and so cannot include them in action, as they are not included in their official wage structure - the club are currently operating at their salary limit.

As reported by Marca earlier this month, the Andalusian club need a boost in finances in the region of €5-6m to carry on operating in the second tier beyond the new year.