Latest news with #RafaelLouzan
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
RFEF president opens up on Dani Olmo registration case – ‘A top professional'
The President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Rafael Louzan, addressed the ongoing 'Dani Olmo case' during the Europa Press Sports Breakfasts. The registration of the 26-year-old Barcelona attacking midfielder was in jeopardy during the winter, but a precautionary measure from the Higher Sports Council (CSD) in Spain allowed Barça to continue playing him while awaiting a final verdict on the matter. Advertisement The verdict finally came last month in favour of Barça, allowing Olmo and Pau Victor to remain registered and continue playing for the rest of the campaign, prompting an appeal from La Liga to overturn the ruling. Commenting on the matter, Louzan stated: 'Every time we see each other, we share a smile. He is a top professional and a great person. He knows there is controversy involved and is aware of it. 'The role of the RFEF was what it had to be – it could not have been any different. Rules exist to be followed, and we have done what the regulations require.' Olmo's registration has been a topic of great debate in Spain. (Photo by) In addition to discussing Dani Olmo, Louzan offered support to FC Barcelona ahead of their Champions League semi-final clash against Inter Milan. Advertisement 'Today we wish Barcelona the best of luck with the challenge they face tonight. Hopefully, we can once again have another great Spanish team in the Champions League final in Munich,' he said. Louzan also spoke briefly about the potential for the upcoming Catalan derby between Espanyol and Barcelona to be played behind closed doors following recent incidents at Espanyol's ground. 'I have very little information. Once I have details from the Competition Committee, I will be able to give an opinion,' he concluded.
The Independent
03-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Gianni Infantino says UK is the ‘one valid bid' for 2035 Women's World Cup
The United Kingdom looks almost certain to host the 2035 Women's World Cup after FIFA president Gianni Infantino described its interest as the 'one valid bid' for those finals. The football associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales announced last month they would submit a joint expression of interest in hosting the finals in 10 years' time. The deadline for initial expressions of interest passed on Monday and although Spain's federation president Rafael Louzan last week announced his country's intention to bid alongside Portugal and Morocco, Infantino indicated the UK bid was the only one being considered. 'We received one bid for 2031 and one bid – one valid bid I should add – for 2035,' he said at the UEFA Congress in Belgrade. 'The 2035 bid is from Europe, from the home nations.'
Local Spain
28-03-2025
- Sport
- Local Spain
Spain bid to host 2035 Women's football World Cup
"There is no better way to raise the profile of women's sport than by participating in the most important sporting event in the world, a FIFA World Cup. We are currently working on it," RFEF president Rafael Louzan said on the sidelines of a conference in the University of Madrid. The Spanish federation are bidding to restore the organisation's image after several non-sporting scandals in recent years. Former president Luis Rubiales resigned in disgrace in September 2023 after forcibly kissing Women's World Cup star Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain's triumph in Sydney. His successor Pedro Rocha was suspended for overstepping his duties after initially arriving on an interim basis, with Louzan taking the reins in December 2024. Spain will also host the 2030 men's World Cup alongside Morocco and Portugal in a new format with the first group stage matches played in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, to celebrate the centenary of the first edition of the competition.
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.'
