The President of the Spanish Football Federation has issued a compelling call to the government, urging for immediate action in light of the competitive pressure posed by Morocco. During an event dubbed The Forum, organized by Atlético Madrid in partnership with Apollo, the entity's principal shareholder, Óscar Mayo, the club's business director, moderated a discussion featuring Javier Tebas, President of La Liga, and Rafael Louzán, President of the Spanish Football Federation. Louzán expressed his confidence that Spain will take the lead in the upcoming 2030 World Cup, but emphasized the necessity for the Spanish government to engage proactively in the preparations, especially considering Morocco's ambitions.
The presence of both the Federation and La Liga leaders at the event signifies a notable shift in the relationship between these two key institutions within Spanish football. Louzán opened the dialogue by stating, "We can engage in discussions at this forum with executives from around the globe. It is common sense for me to be here with La Liga; the irrationality lies in the past disputes that lacked any logical basis. We are prepared to discuss any issues that arise. We have fostered stability and attracted significant corporate partners; today, we have Movistar, Mafre, Nestlé, and Mahou among others," he remarked at the outset of the conference.
Javier Tebas echoed the sentiments of Madrid's Mayor, Martínez Almeida, who previously noted that attendance records at stadiums and television viewership are at an all-time high, yet there remains substantial growth potential. He pointed out that this year has been particularly successful in audiovisual aspects, contradicting earlier predictions of a downturn. Looking ahead, Tebas articulated the challenges that lie before them, stating, "For clubs like Manchester City, Real Madrid, or Barcelona to thrive, there must be a strong competitive brand, which encompasses both national and international leagues. If these brands falter, the value of club brands diminishes, necessitating a search for equilibrium. I remain skeptical about new competitions; twelve years ago, La Liga was struggling financially, and change was arduous. We must defend our national competitions, or else we risk undermining our brands. For instance, Paris Saint-Germain faces challenges because its national brand has suffered due to the French league's weaknesses, which now lags behind Brazil in revenue generation. I highlighted to French clubs the need to address the issues of violence outside stadiums yesterday," he commented.
Tebas reiterated that while they are on the right track, they are only at the beginning of their journey, stating, "We are merely at kilometer two, and I see that the balance between national and international competitions is not being respected. People do not perceive the consequences of this imbalance." As the conversation shifted back to the 2030 World Cup, Louzán took the floor to stress the importance of seizing this opportunity, asserting that Spain is capable of excelling. He noted that UEFA had questioned Spain's intent to host the tournament, a stance that has since evolved. The current proposal includes a distribution of 20 venues, with eleven in Spain, six in Morocco, and three in Portugal, creating a World Cup that spans three continents and six countries, including Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Louzán highlighted that several stadiums are already undergoing renovations, with modern facilities in the pipeline, including a projected €2.5 billion investment in upgrades for Valencia and Zaragoza.
He concluded with a direct message to the Spanish government regarding Morocco's aspirations to host the World Cup final, stating, "The Spanish government must begin to involve itself in this event, and I emphasize this necessity. In Morocco, one person holds all the power, whereas here, we have a multitude of voices. This is indeed a project for Spain, and it must take the lead. Starting in September, we need to tackle this challenge head-on, ensuring that all necessary structures are prepared."
As reported by marca.com.
