December 3 – Javier Tebas has resigned as La Liga president, but the Spanish football administrator will stand for re-election.
In a move designed to ensure his re-election, Tebas has resigned. At 57, he has been the boss of the Spanish league since 2013 when he replaced Jose Luis Astiazaran, with his existing mandate due to run until October 2020.
“I have decided to resign from my role as president so that a new electoral process starts, which I plan to run in,” said Tebas. “I hope to gain support to stay four more years.”
The move is a repeat of the 2016 elections. Tebas stood unopposed at the time. He explained his current decision by pointing out that elections in October would be too close to the launch of new tenders for La Liga’s audiovisual rights.
In Spain, a new government is in the process of being formed and Tebas believes it would better if the La Liga president had a stronger position with a longer mandate.
“A new political term is starting, where it is possible there may be laws and directives proposed which affect our institution and our interests,” said Tebas.
“The person who has to do it should do so with the backing of the clubs at least for four years.”
Tebas has experienced some turbulent months in recent times. He opposed the Spanish Football Association’s (RFEF) decision to stage a four-team Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, arguing that television channel beoutQ carried pirated broadcasts of Spanish football in the country.
In the summer the RFEF ruled that La Liga games could not be played on Fridays and Mondays without the governing body’s approval, but La Liga claimed that the decision was a threat to its European broadcast contracts. The case went to court and a ruling decided league matches could be played on Fridays, but not Mondays.
Tebas hasn’t had it all his way. His plans to stage a La Liga game outside Spain have between thwarted. The administrator wanted to tap into the Us market, but the idea of staging a game there collapsed after widespread criticism.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1734948910labto1734948910ofdlr1734948910owedi1734948910sni@o1734948910fni1734948910