The president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Rafael Louzán, is clear that his goal after taking office is to «not disappoint and meet the expectations and promises made,» and celebrated doing so without the burden he had for 14 years after being acquitted of prevarication by the Supreme Court last February, also affirming that he is only «here to work for the good of football.»
«I now have to try not to disappoint and meet the expectations and promises made. There are issues that need to be addressed in this house and we must do our part to ensure nothing fails,» said Louzán during the Europa Press Sports Breakfast sponsored by Silbö, the Community of Madrid, Joma, Mondo, Loterías y Apuestas del Estado, and the Camilo José Cela University, where he remembered José Ángel de la Casa, Manolo ‘el del Bombo’ and Rafa Rullán, who recently passed away.
His arrival was somewhat abrupt as he was awaiting the Supreme Court’s acquittal of a prevarication offense, which finally happened in early February. «That day could not have been better because for the first time, all Spanish professional football was going to sit at the same table, it was a difficult moment to explain,» he confessed.
However, he always felt «legitimate» to exercise his position since his arrival in December 2024 because he was «convinced» of his innocence. «In the end, what I understood had to happen, happened. One has to believe in what they have done and be convinced of the path they have taken. But it was not easy to carry that burden for 14 years, I tried, despite everything, to handle it in the best possible way, but it was always reminded to me, and now it is an important relief,» he said.
«Presenting with that condition, you have to know how to handle it, but the people who believed in me thought I was the person who could best meet the conditions to lead the RFEF,» added the Galician, who was clear that if he had not been acquitted, the right person to bring order to the federation would have been Pedro Rocha.
Now, more than peace, he has brought «common sense» by managing to have LaLiga, Liga F, and AFE in his Board of Directors, entities that were at odds with the RFEF during Luis Rubiales’ tenure, and he also does not want problems with the Higher Sports Council (CSD), making it clear that despite his ties to the PP, he knows how to «clearly separate one thing from another.»
«I am available to everyone. I recently spoke with Mr. Uribes and will speak in the coming days, there will be no problem for me to talk and reach agreements. I know my role and where they want an ally, they will have it, I am here to work for the good of football,» he emphasized.
«The RFEF’s role was the one that was appropriate in the ‘Olmo Case'»
The Council played a key role in approving the licenses of Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor, contrary to the RFEF and LaLiga’s criteria. «I have to say it because every time I see Dani Olmo, we exchange a smile. I must first understand that he is a great professional and a great person, he knows the controversy surrounding him and is aware of it,» he pointed out.
«I believe that the Federation’s role was the right one. It could not be any other than making the decision we made because rules are meant to be followed, and therefore, what we did was comply with what is established. And Javier (Tebas) also has another role, which is to enforce the rules established by LaLiga,» he concluded on this matter.
Asked about the possibility of LaLiga finally playing its long-awaited match in the United States next season, he warned that the organization «is working on it.» «For the challenges that are presented to us, we will provide all the facilities, we will surely reach an understanding,» he emphasized.
Regarding national teams, he acknowledged that men’s national team coach Luis de la Fuente made his renewal «very easy» and did not rule out the continuity of Montse Tomé at the helm of the women’s team beyond the end of her contract after this summer’s Euro. «I have a great relationship with her and I trust her personally, she will do a great job at the EURO and we are excited about her work and the possibility of continuing with us like Luis. Both are doing a great job,» he concluded.
Finally, Rafael Louzán referred to the possibility of the RFEF returning to its former headquarters in Madrid, where part of the organization’s history resides, and mentioned that they have been «investigating» this but it has ended up with another buyer, although he confirmed that they will soon be back in the capital.
«We could not recover what we may never have lost. Las Rozas is our place, but the RFEF needs institutional presence in Madrid. This is underway and will be done quickly because we have several proposals, we will announce the location very soon,» he assured.
FUENTE
