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Rafael Louzán: ‘We are going to work on the basis of consensus; we have come to work, not just to be present’.

The President of the RFEF explained to the General Assembly the main lines of progress for a new era for Spanish football, in which ‘we will listen to all the players in our football’.
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Mon, 10/02/2025 - 17:19

In his speeches to the General Assembly, the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Rafael Louzán, outlined the plan for work that will mark the course of Spanish football in the coming years. 

 

The main plans for the new era at the RFEF

‘I want to convey my commitment that in this new phase we are going to be innovative, courageous and efficient. And also responsible, because we must live up to what Spanish football deserves. We have the best players, referees, national teams, clubs, coaches, staff, managers, directors, executives and also workers. It is time to make the necessary changes. An evolution is necessary with the participation of all the main players in football, who have to give their opinion and participate. We occupy the most important place in the world in this sport, we are an example and this sporting aspect must be aligned with the quality of our decisions. We have come here to work, not just to be present. We are going to do things based on trust, we are going to be open to listen to everyone's concerns. I will be with anyone who wants to contribute things or make joint reflections’.

 

The first measures of the presidency based on dialogue and consensus.
 
‘We will tackle the reform of the competitions in order to improve them; on this issue we have already put forward the proposal to bring the first phases of the Copa del Rey closer together. We are also analysing the improvement of the Federation's income, which also comes directly from grassroots football and the clubs’.

 

The territorial federations, the backbone of the Spanish football system
 
‘The Royal Spanish Football Federation is a sum total of our territorial federations. They are our extension, the axes on which the football system of this country rotates. For this reason, they have been a priority in these first days of my mandate. I have been to Extremadura, the Canary Islands, Murcia, Valencia, Galicia, tomorrow Aragon, and in the coming weeks I will be in the others.  I would like to give a special welcome to the new regional presidents, Pablo Prieto and Pedro Curtido, and thank those of you who are in charge of the rest for your tireless work.

‘We have also had the opportunity to share experiences with other federations and associations, including Portugal, Uruguay, Argentina and soon Morocco. UEFA and FIFA are fundamental and the RFEF's collaboration with both is vital. That is why we have held meetings with the presidents of both entities and to highlight the strength that comes from representing Spanish football through the Federation’.

An institution that must modernise and keep up with the times

‘We have started a process of transformation of our institution that must modernise and adapt to new trends. This is what I was also talking about in relation to the Statutes themselves, always under the protection of the law. I call on all those who want to contribute. We have to make a qualitative leap in digital transformation. We have been entrusted with the implementation of OTT to give visibility to all football. We are on the right track and I don't want to stop at words and I want to make it into a reality as soon as possible. We can reduce expenses in this house and dedicate them to training footballers. With tight financial controls we can do this. We likely can finalise a TV rights deal regarding the audiovisual rights of the Copa del Rey to generate more income. 

 

Working towards the 2030 World Cup

‘We have an exciting challenge with the organisation of the best World Cup in history, in 2030, in coordination with all the countries participating in the World Cup, with which we have very important ties.’

 

A new time of openness comes with a great responsibility

‘A new era is beginning, as I have already said, and in it, all football players, all levels, have a major role to play. We will reach out to everyone. The work done by our national teams is very important in this respect. All the best of luck to our national teams. Their luck will be our luck. Thank you all. We hope that we make the right decisions and that we all share the responsibility that lies ahead of us: clubs, coaches, players, referees and umpires. You deserve all our admiration and respect. I remain at the disposal of Spanish football for all that is necessary’.

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