Rafael Louzán takes over the presidency of the RFEF in search of stability and trust.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has entered a new era following the election of Rafael Louzán as its new president, a necessary change at a critical moment for the sport in the country. Louzán, who previously served as the president of the Galician Football Federation, will assume the role with the responsibility of restoring trust in the organization and addressing the challenges that have arisen in the context of the institutional crisis that erupted in August 2023, following the scandal involving Luis Rubiales and the women's national team. Louzán replaces Rubiales, who left an RFEF marked by controversy, especially after the women's national team's victory in the World Cup and the case of Jennifer Hermoso, which sparked an intense debate about machismo in sports. The election of Louzán, a politician with experience in the sports field, has been met with mixed expectations. Members of the football community hope that his leadership will bring a new direction and stability, both of which are desperately needed in these uncertain times. The new president arrives with a background that, despite his credentials, is not without controversy. Louzán faces a seven-year disqualification sentence for a crime of prevarication related to granting a subsidy to a company for work on a football pitch. This aspect of his career has caused some concern among fans and authorities, who wonder if his past could affect his ability to lead the federation in this new phase. Born in Pontevedra on November 21, 1967, Louzán has been a prominent figure in Galician football since 2014. His experience as a board member of the RFEF since December 2019 provides him with insider knowledge that is expected to be utilized to tackle the issues facing the organization. However, his path to the presidency has not been without surprises and unexpected twists. The electoral process was marked by uncertainty, and the withdrawal of Sergio Merchán, president of the Extremaduran Federation, just minutes before the voting left Salvador Gomar as Louzán's only opponent. Gomar, who has led the Valencian Community Football Federation since 2018, was seen as a serious rival, and his withdrawal has raised questions about the internal dynamics of the federation and the politics behind the elections. Louzán's victory not only represents a change in leadership but also an opportunity to heal the wounds of the past and move towards a more promising future for Spanish football. However, experts in sports management warn that the RFEF cannot afford another misstep, and the pressure for Louzán to demonstrate his leadership ability and transparency will be intense from the outset of his term. One of the main challenges the new president will face is establishing effective dialogue with the various stakeholders in football, including players, clubs, and fans. The distrust generated by Rubiales' management requires significant effort to rebuild the relationship between the federation and the grassroots of the sport. In this new chapter of national football, the RFEF has the opportunity to redefine its image and focus its work on promoting and developing the sport across all its categories. Visibility and support for the women's national team, which has proven to be a beacon of success and resilience, must also be a priority on Louzán's agenda. Meanwhile, the football community watches closely and with anticipation. The hope is that under Rafael Louzán's leadership, the federation can overcome the adversities of the past and focus on the future, contributing to a more positive and constructive environment in Spanish football. With so much at stake, time will tell if this change in leadership will mark the beginning of a new era of growth and stability for football in Spain.