Rafael Louzán
Rafael Louzán | |
|---|---|
 Louzán in 2026 | |
| President of Royal Spanish Football Federation | |
| Assumed office 16 December 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Pedro Rocha |
| President of the Galician Football Federation | |
| In office 19 December 2014 – 16 December 2024 | |
| Preceded by | José García Liñares |
| Succeeded by | Pablo Prieto |
| President of the Provincial Deputation of Pontevedra | |
| In office 12 July 2003 – 17 July 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Manuel Abeledo |
| Succeeded by | Carmela Silva |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Rafael Louzán Abal 21 November 1967 Ribadumia, Pontevedra, Spain |
| Party | People's Party of Galicia |
Rafael Louzán Abal (born 21 November 1967) is a Spanish businessman, politician and sports administrator who has served as president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) since 16 December 2024.[1] He previously served as president of the Galician Football Federation from 2014 to 2024 and as president of the Provincial Deputation of Pontevedra from 2003 to 2015.
Political career
Louzán entered politics in 1995, when he was elected deputy mayor of Ribadumia and a deputy of the Provincial Deputation of Pontevedra, representing the O Salnés comarca. He became one of the institution's vice presidents in 1996 and was elected president on 12 July 2003, serving in the role until 2015.[2]
Within the People's Party of Galicia, Louzán served as provincial organisation secretary in Pontevedra from 1998 before becoming provincial president in 2000, a position he retained until 2016.[3]
Following the 2015 local elections, he remained a councillor in Ribadumia but lost the presidency of the Provincial Deputation after the People's Party lost its majority.[4]
Football administration
Louzán was elected president of the Galician Football Federation in December 2014 and was re-elected unopposed in 2018.[5]
On 16 December 2024, he was elected president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, defeating Salvador Gomar in the election.[1] He succeeded Pedro Rocha, becoming the federation's third president in less than two years following the departures of Rocha and Luis Rubiales. As RFEF president, Louzán has overseen preparations for Spain's role as a co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.[6] In addition, Spain won their second FIFA World Cup title during his tenure in 2026.[7]
Legal issues
In 2015, Louzán became the subject of an investigation over alleged bribery. The case was closed in 2018 after the High Court of Justice of Galicia annulled the evidence gathered during the investigation.[8]
In February 2021, he was convicted of prevarication in connection with a grant awarded for works at a football ground in Moraña and sentenced to two years' imprisonment and eight years' disqualification from public office. He was acquitted of the accompanying fraud charge on appeal. In February 2025, the Supreme Court of Spain overturned the prevarication conviction, acquitting Louzán of all charges.[9]
References
- 1 2 "Rafael Louzán elected President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation" (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. 16 December 2024.
- ↑ Tovar, Santiago (19 July 2026). "Rafael Louzan's profile: Who is the RFEF president? Age, height, and more about the Spanish FA chairman". bolavip.com.
- ↑ Punzón, Carlos (29 January 2016). "Louzán se despide de la presidencia del PP pontevedrés negando que le empuje su situación judicial". La Voz de Galicia (in Spanish).
- ↑ "Carmela Silva: "Desde hoy, la Diputación es la casa del pueblo"" (in Spanish). Faro de Vigo. 17 July 2015.
- ↑ "Real Federación Galega de Fútbol" (in Spanish). Galician Football Federation.
- ↑ "RFEF president Rafael Louzán begins a round of meetings with his 2030 World Cup counterparts". Royal Spanish Football Federation. 18 February 2025.
- ↑ "Louzán: «Luis de la Fuente es el mejor entrenador del mundo, y el mejor de la historia de España»" (in Spanish). Lanza Digital. 20 July 2026.
- ↑ "Archivan la causa contra Louzán por los supuestos sobrecostes en alquileres". Diario de Pontevedra (in Spanish). 9 November 2018.
- ↑ "Rafael Louzán y la delegada de la Xunta en Pontevedra, condenados a dos años de prisión y ocho de inhabilitación". Nós Diario (in Spanish). 5 February 2021.
