April 13 – Javier Tebas, the outspoken and controversial head of Spain’s La Liga, is set to join UEFA’s executive committee – sitting alongside his nemesis, Spanish FA boss Luis Rubiales.
When Rubiales was re-elected unopposed as president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) last September, eyebrows were raised given his feud with Tebas over a series of issues that highlighted a widening split in the administration of Spanish football, not least the debate over playing La Liga fixtures overseas.
Tebas was in fact quoted earlier last year as saying: “I prefer anyone to Rubiales,” adding the RFEF boss was “not qualified to lead” the federation.
But now they will be sharing the same top table after Tebas was picked by European Leagues, the body representing major leagues across Europe, as its delegate to sit on UEFA’s exco.
All that remains is for Tebas’ new role to be confirmed on April 20 at the annual meeting of 55 UEFA member federations.
In recent years, The European Leagues have been represented at UEFA by the body’s top official, Sweden’s Lars-Christer Olsson – himself a former UEFA chief executive – who steps down next week after turning 70 and passing the age limit for re-election.
Tebas is set to be given a four-year mandate during which he will more than likely keep voicing his opposition to clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City using the financial might of their cash-rich Middle East owners.
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