This weekend there will be a very special competition. It is the start of LaLiga Genuine, a groundbreaking social responsibility and integration initiative, that has led to the creation of a league composed of teams of people with intellectual disabilities (ID). La Real is going to take part in this league since Real Sociedad Fundazioa cooperates with ATZEGI (Association from Guipúzcoa who helps people with intellectual disabilities). The txuri-urdin team is sponsored by CIE AUTOMOTIVE.
The competition will start next Friday October 6 in Vila-Real. It is a social responsibility and inclusive initiative which aim is to standardize football among intellectual dissability collectives and demonstrate professional football's firm commitment to society in terms of diversity and inclusion so that all LaLiga clubs have their Genuine team.
For the 2017/2018 season, LaLiga Genuine is composed of 18 professional football clubs: Real Sociedad, Athletic Club, RCD Espanyol, Club Atlético de Madrid, RC Deportivo de La Coruña, Valencia CF, CA Osasuna, Villarreal CF, RC Celta de Vigo, UD Las Palmas, Levante UD, CF Reus, Nàstic de Tarragona, RCD Mallorca, Girona FC, Córdoba CF, SD Huesca and Rayo Vallecano.
There are four phases in the competition. Dates and venues have been confirmed: The first two rounds of matches will be played in Villarreal in October 2017 and Tarragona in January 2018. Two more rounds are due to be played in Mallorca in April (13-15) and Vigo in June (8-10).
The competition consists of eight-a-side teams playing 40 minute games divided into 10 minute quarters. LaLiga GENUINE will be played via a league system with six groups of three teams, such that each round will feature three matches per group. In each match, a maximum of one point will be awarded for each quarter won and zero points will be awarded for each quarter drawn or lost. Additionally, for each match won, teams will earn three points in the league table, each match drawn will earn teams two points in the table and, finally, each match lost will earn one point in the table.
All clubs will be able to earn a series of points on each matchday as a reward for fair play. These points will depend on the attitude of the coaches, the behaviour of the players, the conduct of the fans and sporting acts of fair play by players and managers.