• Opinion: a world champion against the system

Veterans employees of the Federation do not forget the times that Iker Casillas , in his stage as an international, expressed high plans for the future that already hovered his head. «Prepare yourselves, that one day I will send here. I will be the president, ”he said half jokingly, half seriously, from the authority that gave him the captain of the best Spanish team in our history. This Monday, years later, about to hang the gloves, he wrote down those dining room warnings. «Yes, I will present myself to the presidency of the RFEF when the elections are called. Together we will put our Federation at the height of the best football in the world: that of Spain. # IkerCasillas2020 », the still porter of Porto tweeted.

After probing the football sectors and meeting with Irene Lozano, the Secretary of State for Sports, Casillas has decided to take the final step by officially announcing his candidacy for elections that are still very green. The date is not yet known, the matter has been put into legal brambles in the interest of the president, Luis Rubiales , in advancing them to spring.

The Royal Decree governing the matter recommends that the different Federations carry them out after the Olympic Games , although sometimes (for example, Ángel María Villar in 2012) exceptions are authorized. That is what the current president wants, pending the resolution that the State Advocacy has to take in the next few days.

At such a high legal level the CSD went after Rubiales' allegations to the first contrary verdict of the Administrative Court of Sport (TAD), which did not see sufficient reasons to move the date. Now, if the Advocacy orders the TAD to resume the matter, the president may get away with it. Or not, because times are already flying, and as soon as these pending decisions are delayed, the deadlines will be thrown over the Eurocup and, then, the elections will end up in the fall.

The favorite defends itself

The president defends that it would be advisable for the health of the Spanish candidacy for the 2030 World Cup to have a new legislature as soon as possible. An argument that critics seriously question, pointing out as the main reason that an early call always benefits the favorite, rather than the applicant. Casillas knows, because of the task ahead. Because to get the throne, favorable opinion polls, neither his charisma nor his influential friendships will not be enough. To win the presidency, he will have to convince the majority of the 139 assembly members with the right to vote. In total there are 140 , but the latter should be forgotten because it is owned by Rubiales himself.

The confirmation of Casillas did not alter the pulse in Las Rozas, where they expected the news. There, the preparation of the candidate is questioned , without experience or management studies. Details of his project are barely known, but in the different power points of national football, his agent, Carlos Cutropía , is pointed out as the true promoter of the initiative. In its panel of represented Fernando Hierro , one of the faces that would accompany Iker in the adventure stands out. He has the experience of the Federation in Malaga and sound scratches with Rubiales.

Who knows Casillas closely speaks "of vocation" when interpreting this jump, remembering that economically, a character in his category would have a more profitable retirement as a commentator or advertising icon. The income of the president of the Federation, between fixed salary and percentage by sponsorships, round, at best, 400,000 euros a year. The goalkeeper, who has yet to announce his retirement from football, would look forward to a future linked to the direction of football, first the Spanish and then the international, in UEFA and FIFA, where he maintains good contacts. Meanwhile, Rubiales slips that he has Moncloa and the most important clubs on his side.

The power niches

He is also confident in his management, despite the noise of several episodes. The dismissal of Lopetegui , the strange return of Luis Enrique (and the controversial departure of his substitute, Robert Moreno), the discussed choice of Arabia as the headquarters of the Super Cup ... These soap operas may have generated a controversial external image of Rubiales, but That does not matter at the time of the elections. It will be the various voters who decide, grouped most of them around territorial federations, authentic niches of power for the president on duty.

Thus Villar solidified in the position almost 30 years. The fine (or thick) policy is the one that rules then, mixing personal relationships and the pampering that that territorial may have received or has promised to receive. The majority, they believe in the Federation, are on their side, having even seduced some opponents such as Galicia, Basque Country, Aragon or Andalusia. Madrid, for example, would go hand in hand with Casillas. The goalkeeper would also have the support of the Association of Footballers (AFE), commanded by his good friend, David Aganzo .

Asked this Monday by this newspaper, he says his body will be neutral. The support of the League is clearer. "Anyone before Rubiales," says Thebes. Will the accounts go out to Iker? The race has just begun.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Angel Maria Villar
  • Robert Moreno
  • Iker Casillas
  • FIFA
  • Fernando Hierro
  • Irene Lozano
  • Luis Enrique
  • Luis Rubiales
  • sports
  • First division
  • Spain National Soccer Team

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