The high court annuls the disqualification sentence, considering that there was no prevarication in the granting of a subsidy for the renovation of a football pitch in Pontevedra

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Supreme Court acquits Rafael Louzán and allows him to continue as head of RFEF

The Supreme Court has acquitted Rafael Louzán, president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), of the crime of administrative malfeasance for which he had been sentenced to seven years' disqualification. The case arose from the granting of a subsidy of 86,311 euros for the renovation of a football pitch in Moraña (Pontevedra) during his term of office at the Pontevedra Provincial Council. 

The high court has also exonerated the former director of Infrastructures of the Provincial Council and representatives of the construction company involved, who had received the same sentence. The magistrates concluded that the facts do not constitute a crime of prevarication, since the administration was obliged to pay for the works already carried out, and no arbitrary resolution was issued with the purpose of generating a materially unjust result. 

This decision allows Louzán to continue at the head of the RFEF and avoids the need to call new elections in an institution full of crises in recent times. Louzán was elected president in December, amid legal uncertainty that has now been resolved with his acquittal. 

The Public Prosecutor's Office had opposed the exoneration, arguing that the whole dossier was prevaricating. However, the Supreme Court has determined that, although there were irregularities in the contracting, there was no unjust act, since the works were invoiced at market price and the public administration should have paid for the work carried out. 

After learning of the ruling, Louzán expressed his satisfaction and gratitude to those who trusted him during the process. This ruling strengthens his position as head of the RFEF as Spain prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup.