Latest news with #Louzan
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
RFEF President speaks on Negreira case and Real Madrid referee vendetta
The President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Rafael Louzan has declared that while the Negreira corruption case is embarrassing for all involved, it has not had any impact on the performance of officials. He also addressed the drama before the Copa del Rey final, as Real Madrid pushed to change the referees for the final, and refused to attend their press conference and training session the day before in protest. Los Blancos have played a curious double role in the Negreira case, being one of the last teams to get involved in the legal case against Barcelona, but consistently using it as evidence of corrupt officiating. President Florentino Perez has also called for unity with Barcelona in his last public appearance. Advertisement 'The 'Negreira case' is in the courts,' Louzan told Sport. 'Real Madrid has told me several times that I have to do something. It's an embarrassing matter, but it hasn't had any impact on the referee's performance.' Real Madrid involved in refereeing reforms Real Madrid are part of the reform committee alongside Real Betis and Sevilla, despite not being elected to the position. Louzan and the RFEF decided to extend an invitation to Los Blancos, which they accepted, and revealed that the consultation process would end in June. 'The refereeing system model, even before the latest controversies, must evolve. It's been established since 1909. It's heavily dependent on the RFEF president appointing the CTA leader. Professional football has a lot to say in this regard. There needs to be a new model for the refereeing system, but no one has said anything to me. I knew it was essential and necessary.' Advertisement 'Real Madrid is very critical of this situation, and even though the clubs didn't vote for them to be part of this working group, we wanted them to be there. They're offering their options, and we're even in agreement. This first part will end on June 30th.' Image via RFEF Copa del Rey final drama After referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea broke down in tears in a press conference before the Copa del Rey final, and VAR Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes declared that the refereeing body would be taking action against their persecution, Real Madrid moved to change the officials for the final. They saw it as a sign that they would be biased against Los Blancos, being their videos that have been hounding officials. Louzan admitted that putting them in front the press before the final was a poor choice. Advertisement 'We'll be making mistakes if we view the referee as an enemy. There's more aggression and verbal violence in youth football. We need to look inward. The timing of the Cup referees' press conference wasn't the best. It should have been after.' 'Real Madrid had to be present at the events. I spoke with them and we managed to calm them down. I've met Florentino several times. Real Madrid is a great club and deserves all the respect, just like any other.' Image via Diario AS Is Real Madrid's public campaign against referees helping? The feeling from Real Madrid is that there is a genuine belief that officials are against them, rightly or wrongly. However increasingly the suggestion is that this could be having a negative impact on their players, who have manifested that belief too. Jude Bellingham has received three red cards for dissent over the last two seasons, while Antonio Rudiger was handed a five-game ban and Lucas Vazquez a two-game ban for their reactions to a minor decision in the Copa final too.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
RFEF president confirms referees for Copa del Rey final won't be changed amid Real Madrid complaint
A while ago, Real Madrid issued an official statement lashing out against the comments made by referees Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea and Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes and asked the RFEF to take action against the pair. Real Madrid have been pushing for the Spanish Football Federation to replace the match officials for tomorrow's Copa del Rey final following their comments earlier in the press conference. Advertisement In fact, Los Blancos cancelled their press conference, training, and other official pre-match events today in protest and are even said to be considering walking away from the final. RFEF President shuts down talk of referee change However, now, RFEF president Rafael Louzan has come out and offered an update, stating that there will be no change of referees and that the final in Seville will go ahead as planned. 'The CTA [Technical Committee of Referees] has appointed a refereeing team, and that's the way it is,' said Louzan (h/t SPORT). 'I appeal for calm, responsibility, and common sense. I've already spoken with Real Madrid.' he added. Advertisement On being asked if the final will go ahead according to plan, Louzan replied: 'Of course, yes.' It now remains to be seen how Real Madrid respond to the situation and whether they are willing to play the game or opt to walk away.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
RFEF President confirms Spanish stadium that will host 2027 Champions League final
RFEF President confirms Spanish stadium that will host 2027 Champions League final After it was reported in recent months that the Estadio Metropolitano was in the running to host the Champions League final in 2027, President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Rafael Louzan has confirmed that UEFA will award the event to the stadium on the outskirts of Madrid. Louzan also gave an update on the 2030 World Cup stadium selection process. Speaking to Marca, Louzan explained that he would like to see La Cartuja in Seville, largely regarded as the third-best in the city, host another major final. The stadium is owned by the RFEF, and as such they have been using it for Copa del Rey finals. Advertisement 'This year, Spain has the Europa League final at San Mames, we're also guaranteed the 2027 Champions League final at the Metropolitano in Madrid, and why not ask, with our support, for Seville to host one of the upcoming European finals in this stadium? I've been with Ceferin two or three times, and we'll ask him about the possibility of Seville hosting a city because we have the venue, the city, and a fantastic hotel infrastructure to host events of this nature.' This week it was also reported that Atletico would be willing to drop out as one of the World Cup stadiums in order to accommodate the Nou Mestalla, after work resumed on Los Che's stadium. Currently Valencia does not have a ground due to host games. Louzan confirmed as much too. 'Atletico Madrid have said that, once again very generously, they would be willing, even if necessary, to give up their space so that Valencia could be one of the eleven venues currently granted to Spain.' The Metropolitano with a tifo. Part of the reason for their generosity is reportedly finances. Atletico tend to rent out the Metropolitano for concerts and events in the summer in order to increase their income. Given they would be required to give up the stadium for two to three months, the estimated cost to the club's accounts would be around €20m.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
RFEF President on Refereeing reform meeting – ‘We thank Real Madrid for their presence'
President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Rafael Louzan has claimed that they are aiming for 'maximum transparency' and 'complete openness' when it comes to reform for the refereeing system. On Wednesday a meeting took place between the RFEF, the Referees Committee (CTA), La Liga, the elected clubs and Real Madrid. Several weeks ago, amid controversy and numerous complaints, a vote took place between the clubs in top three tiers of Spanish football took elect representatives to the Referee Reform Committee, where Real Betis, Sevilla, Albacete and Granada were chosen from La Liga and Segunda. La Liga and the RFEF then chose to invite Real Madrid and Racing Santander of their own volition. Louzan promised changes ahead of next season. 'We have a clear horizon. To the extent we can, we will try to ensure that the model and this structural change can be implemented with the start of the next 2025/2026 season.' Real Madrid have been the noisiest and most virulent in their complaints, calling the refereeing system corrupt and manipulated specifically against them. Yet General Manager Jose Angel Sanchez attended the meeting. 'We thank Real Madrid for their presence,' Louzan told Sport. 'We're at kilometer zero; this meeting has never happened before. We'll see how far we can go. There are regulations, rules, and a Sports Law. Everything has been put on the table. The English model, the German model, have already been discussed… Although none of them are perfect, there are complaints everywhere.' Meanwhile one of the figures reportedly with their position under threat is head of the CTA, Luis Medina Cantalejo. He noted that they had not spoken about the constant smear pieces from official Real Madrid media. 'We haven't discussed anything about Real Madrid TV, nor anything in particular about any club.' 'Transparency has been requested. This is also true regarding referee appointments, which are made through a committee comprised of the federation, LaLiga, and the CSD. Or regarding the relegation and promotion of referees, how they are scored… Perhaps a committee should be set up to report on all of this.'
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Special treatment for Real Madrid? RFEF extend invite to refereeing reform committee
Real Madrid have been the loudest and most virulent with their complaints about officiating in Spain, and they will get a seat at the table as reform of the system is decided. Despite facing disciplinary action for their incendiary letter to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Los Blancos appear to be mending bridges with them. Three weeks ago it was decided that the clubs would participate with the RFEF, CTA (Referees Committee) and La Liga in deciding how to reform the refereeing system, amid consistent and widespread complaints, albeit none openly making accusations of corruption and manipulation against one club as happened with Real Madrid. It was decided by a majority vote from Primera and Segunda that Real Betis, Sevilla, Albacete and Granada would be the clubs representing their interests on the Referee Reform Committee. This was the first step in the 'structural changes' promised by RFEF President Rafael Louzan the previous week. Real Madrid did stand for that committee, but received just four votes compared to the nine for Sevilla and twelve for Real Betis. However Marca are now reporting that Real Madrid will be present in those discussions alongside the elected representatives from Seville. In a decision taken by the RFEF and La Liga together, and agreed by Louzan and President Javier Tebas, Real Madrid have been invited to participate in the discussions. Sevilla Femenino, Tenerife Femenino from Liga F, and Antequera and Fuenlabrada from Primera RFEF will alos be present, as will Racing Santander. The Cantabrian side have also been invited rather than elected, although no reason is given. In the case of Real Madrid, Louzan is reportedly keen to improve dialogue with Los Blancos, and wants to extend the hand in order to improve relations. The invite was suggested while Real Madrid executives attended the Federation headquarters to discuss Jude Bellingham's red card against Osasuna.
