Spanish Football Federation elects Rafael Louzan as president - but new chief could be forced out as he awaits appeal against conviction

Louzan is due to lead the crisis-hit RFEF until 2028 after being voted in as the new president. The 57-year-old beat the only other candidate Salvador Gomar by 90 votes to 43. Louzan has been the head of the Galicia football federation since 2014 but is already in danger of being forced to relinquish his new job due to a previous conviction, as reported by El Pais.

Louzan is currently awaiting the appeal of a conviction for abuse of office in a previous role as president of the Pontevedra Provincial Council. He has been handed a seven-year suspension from holding public office and could therefore be forced out of his role with the RFEF if it stands. The RFEF is currently trying to move on after being embroiled in scandal after previous president Luis Rubiales forcibly kissed Jenni Hermoso at the 2023 Women's World Cup final. Rubiales subsequently stepped down and is due to stand trial in 2025 for sexual assault.

The RFEF has been without a president since Pedro Rocha was suspended for two years for an abuse of authority. Rocha had been hand-picked for the job by Rubiales, shortly before his own ban.

Despite all the scandal within the RFEF, the Spain national teams continue to thrive on the pitch. The men's team won Euro 2024 and and will hope to add a Nations League title in 2025, while the women's team will be going for glory at the European Championship next year and will take on Italy, Belgium and Portugal in the group stages.