The President of the RFEF, Rafael Louzán, Calls for a New Era of “Unity” to Restore the Prestige of Spanish Football

Rafael Louzán, the newly elected President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, began his address by thanking the assembly members for the overwhelming confidence they placed in his project. He then outlined a new era for the RFEF, the home of football, now open to all: “This is your home, everyone’s home. The home of Spanish football, of the clubs, officials, players, coaches, referees, sports associations (LaLiga and Liga F), unions (AFE, Futpro…), fans, and also the media. Now that the election is behind us, we are all part of the same team once more, because this is the time to work together as one. Everyone can contribute to making this Federation and Spanish football even better (…). The time has come to restore the prestige of this institution definitively. We need an body that inspires trust, one that is recognised for what it represents: the heartbeat of Spanish football, the same heartbeat that races during a final, the same that stirs emotion when our teams lift a trophy (…). We need everyone: the Spanish Government, LaLiga, Liga F, unions, clubs, referees, coaches, territorial federations, and all forms of football, futsal, and beach football in Spain. You can always count on me, just as I count on you.”

“We need everyone: the Spanish Government, LaLiga, Liga F, unions, clubs, referees, coaches, territorial federations, and all forms of football, futsal, and beach football in Spain. You can always count on me”

Unity will be a central pillar of the Federation’s work going forward, as reflected in Louzán’s address to the Assembly: “We need unity and cohesion. Like on the pitch; only teams that work together achieve the best results. This Federation, as I mentioned earlier, must be everyone involved in football, futsal, and beach football’s home.

“Those who know me understand that I don’t take positions just to sit idly by or stay on the sidelines. I want to act. And starting today, we will work to make up for lost time.”

‘I would like to thank the staff of this entity for their work and effort during this turbulent time’.

A full set of proposals to turn into a reality

The president-elect dedicated affectionate words to the Royal Spanish Football Federation staff: ‘I want to thank the magnificent team of workers in this organisation for their work and effort during this turbulent time’. And, henceforth, he looked to the future: ‘I invite you to visualise a different Federation from now on; a Federation that guarantees transparency and good practices with an independent Compliance body; a Federation that ensures the freedom and anonymity of each vote with an electronic voting system. Let us now work on the design and implementation of the Strategic Plan for Women's Football. Let's all push from this moment on for futsal to become an Olympic sport. We will plan the construction of permanent facilities for beach football, including the ones we want to build here, at the Ciudad de Fútbol. We will modernise and digitally transform the RFEF and its regional federations with the help of Artificial Intelligence, so that we have a more efficient and effective management. We want to launch an OTT that will allow fans to follow all non-professional football and futsal. Let's create an office that will be available 7 days a week to provide service to clubs and federations. Let's get ready to organise the best World Cup ever in 2030.

‘I want to express words of gratitude for my friend Pedro Rocha, who started this path that we are now going to continue’.

His last words were to thank, to applaud those who have accompanied the now president of the RFEF until the day of his election: his colleagues from the Regional Federations, with a special mention for ‘my friend Pedro Rocha’.

He also wanted to thank Sergio Merchán, ‘for his selfless work, and for something wonderful, his generosity: he is a great person and a magnificent leader, who is going to contribute a lot to football in Extremadura and Spanish football. Also, to María Ángeles García Chaves, who worked hard to bring us this far, with all the Management Committee that today is completing its work. Likewise, to Álvaro de Miguel and the entire General Secretariat team: from the bottom of my heart, thank you very much. 

The new President dedicated a special moment to his team at the Royal Galician Football Federation and to his family, ‘those who suffer the most at my side and those who suffer the most from all the time I dedicate to my work with so much passion. And yet they are the happiest at the moment. Thanks to my family for everything they give me’.