Miguel Ángel Ramírez: "We ask for the forgiveness of our fans"

"We are experiencing the toughest time at the club since I have been president", said Miguel Ángel Ramírez at the press conference. "This UD Las Palmas’ worst ever first half of a season. I have never had to manage the club with such bad figures. The economic situation is sound, but in sporting terms this is unlike any previous season and is highly disappointing", he stressed.

"I can understand the embarrassment and the upset that UD Las Palmas is causing its fans. Last Saturday the team simply didn’t compete. We are going to continue to demand that the players give their all until the end of the season, because the club fulfills all its requirements with them. I will not allow any UD Las Palmas players to tarnish the badge and shirt of the club like they did this last match", he stated forcefully.

"If we let our heads drop, the team will obviously be relegated. If we all fight hard together we will be able to save ourselves. I will not let my head drop, neither will the players or the fans. I am not asking more fans to come along to the stadium, but those who do come to watch us should not have a go at the players, as they alone cannot get us out of this. I appeal to the fans’ spirit and to the media that saved the Club from going under. Now is the time for us all to stick together".

"I ask the fans to get behind the team and help us reach our goal. Together we need to make the Estadio Gran Canaria a fortress so the club can stay up. If we don’t manage this, then everyone will lose out, our city, our land, and our fans", while he also underlined "now is not the moment for the club to be making decisions, we shall do that at the end of the season, because now is not the time to point the finger at any one individual".

"PACO JÉMEZ WILL STAY WHATEVER HAPPENS"

"Paco Jémez is convinced he can turn the situation around", said Miguel Ángel Ramírez, following a five-hour meeting the former had with the sports board. "Whatever happens, Jémez will be here until the end of the season".

Regarding Löic Remy, the president said that given the high costs involved for the club if the player were to leave, and also the difficulties that exist to sign a top forward, that "we have asked the manager to take time to think about his decision and to consider playing him again. He told us he would give it his consideration and would get back to us in a few days". "The player is the property of UD Las Palmas until the end of next season", the president reminded those present.

Miguel Ángel Ramírez, with reference to players coming in and going out, said he had reached an agreement with Aythami Artiles. "Over the next few days we will be making his departure official", while at the same time saying "Tannane will not be staying with us, and we are looking into sending him back to his club in France, or perhaps to other leagues such as the American league". As for the possible return of forward Jesé, he stated "this is his home and the doors will be wide open for him should he decide to return".

During the press conference, the president was accompanied by Nicolás Ortega, vice-president, Patricio Viñayo, director general, Toni Cruz, sports director, and Luis Helguera, technical secretary.