LaLiga SmartBank: "RCD Espanyol is a first division club in every respect" (Mao Ye, board member)

"RCD Espanyol is a first division club in every respect and always will be. Our only goal is to return to LaLiga Santander," said Mao Ye, member of the club's board of directors, on 21/07/2020.

RCD Espanyol finished 20^th and last in the 2019-20 LaLiga Santander table with 25 points (5 wins, 10 draws, 15 losses), and have therefore been relegated to LaLiga SmartBank for the 2020-21 season. The club had been playing in the Spanish top flight for 26 consecutive seasons since 1994.

"Rastar is increasing its commitment to the club. It is a step forward. We have to make a lot of changes and relaunch a new project that will take us back to the elite level. We want a new club and a new Espanyol. We are trying a new way of doing things," said José María Durán, the club's CEO and managing director since January 2020, who will now also serve as a vice-president. RCD Espanyol has been owned by the Rastar Group, a Chinese company specialised in the manufacture of remote-controlled and miniature cars, since November 2015.

• Carlos García Pont (ESP), who had held the position of vice-president at…