Spain’s Supreme Court has acquitted Rafael Louzán, the current President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), of charges that would have disqualified him from holding public office. The court’s Second Chamber ruled in favor of Louzán, accepting his appeal and overturning a previous conviction.
The Supreme Court determined that the actions Louzán was accused of did not constitute a crime of prevarication. This decision allows him to retain his position as head of the RFEF. The ruling stated that the proven facts did not meet the criteria for prevarication, which requires not only an arbitrary resolution but also one issued to produce a materially unjust result.
Louzán had been facing a 7-year disqualification from public office related to his tenure as president of the Pontevedra Provincial Council. Had the Supreme Court upheld the conviction, Louzán would have been ineligible for positions within FIFA and UEFA due to integrity checks.
The Spanish government had previously warned that elections for the RFEF presidency would be called if the court ruled against Louzán. However, with this acquittal, such action will not be necessary.
Louzán received news of the acquittal during a meeting in El Retiro, Madrid, which brought together Spanish clubs, the Referees Committee, and the RFEF. This decision allows him to continue in his role and pursue various initiatives, including proposed changes to the Spanish refereeing system.