Spanish futsal faced yet another episode of confusion last Monday, with the backdrop of changing rules. A working meeting organized by the RFEF Coaches Committee unexpectedly turned into an improvised revision of the regulatory changes proposed by the National Futsal Committee. Terms like “improvisation” and “haste” resurfaced, echoing sentiments from the club meeting on August 16.
Adding to the existing confusion and uncertainty, a deep unease has now set in. It was evident in the ‘José Villalonga’ auditorium at the Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas that most coaches are against the throw-in being executed with either the hand or the foot. Federation leaders tried to justify it by saying, “It’s something already done in beach soccer,” leaving professionals on the bench stunned. The only attendees who defended allowing players to choose their method, with the option to change within the four seconds allocated, were Juanlu Alonso (El Hidalgo Manzanares Cheeses) and Tino Pérez (Barça).
Eduardo Sao Thiago, coach of the Spanish League and Super Cup champions, was the first to speak. The Jimbee Cartagena coach was both critical and analytical about the implementation of this experimental measure in Spain. Following a request from the RFEF to FIFA. His opinion carries weight. As the last goal scored in Spain from a hand throw-in happened under his guidance at ElPozo Murcia during the 2005-2006 League final against his current team. The Spanish-Brazilian coach described it as “a half-measure”. Advocating for throw-ins to be done only by hand and insisting on reinstating “corner kicks,” a point of contention with FIFA. In 2004-2005, the average was 8.02 goals per game, dropping only slightly to 7.58 in the final season before the old rules changed. After the new regulations were introduced in 2006-2007, there was no significant decrease in goals (7.15).
Eighteen years later
Eighteen years later, many younger coaches felt excluded when they were advised to “listen to those who had played with the old rules.” Last season, according to updated First Division statistics, there were 131 goals from throw-ins and 103 from corner kicks. Underscoring the strategic prowess of Spanish coaches. Despite Juanlu Alonso’s defense of the dual serve (hand-foot) for its potential to “enhance the spectacle,” Antonio Vadillo, Palma Futsal’s coach and two-time UEFA Futsal Champions League champion, criticized the regulation change as a “mockery”. Doubting its impact and anticipating inconclusive statistics for FIFA. This sentiment reflected the general dissatisfaction with the ambiguity of the throw-in rule and its slim chances of gaining approval beyond this season, especially with political opposition from futsal powerhouses like Brazil and Portugal.
The meeting, presided over by Valencian David Gutiérrez as president of the RFEF Coaches Committee, alongside Murcian Federation vice president Luciano Herrero and Catalan Federation general director José Miguel Calle, was almost farcical. Duda’s accurate intervention sparked a heated virtual exchange with Pedro Galán. Who accused him of favoritism towards his team during a discussion on the rule restricting referee access to captains. An offhand comment led to a subsequent apology and derailed the debate of a nearly four-hour meeting. Concepts like deception, serve feints, and the ability to put the ball in play with the hand from any part of the court were also discussed, with Movistar Inter coach Alberto Riquer calling for stricter refereeing in areas where players were holding onto the ball.
RFEF and the technical group
In response to widespread opposition to the throw-in rule, Pedro Galán expressed surprise. Saying: “I thought you had asked for all this” highlighting a communication gap between the RFEF and the technical group. Juanlu Alonso urged his colleagues to “step out of their comfort zone,” recalling “the volley era.” However, most coaches distanced themselves from a rule that, less than a month ago, was merely an online rumor. But has since become a regulatory reality imposed by the RFEF unilaterally, without any consensus or planning.
José Antonio Borrego Gutiérrez ‘Tete,’ coach of Málaga Ciudad Redonda FS, suggested a “gentleman’s agreement” to unify the throw-in rule to “hand-only,” but no vote was taken, with many arguing that it would be meaningless and likely violated. The discussion resembled more a neighborhood squabble in pre-season than a debate in one of the world’s top leagues. RFEF initiated the debate in mid-August without prior analysis, and notable silences were observed from figures like Dani Rodríguez (Jaen Inner Paradise) and David Ramos (Albali Valdepeñas Vineyard).
federation’s mishandling
The federation’s mishandling continued with votes on whether to introduce two additional measures this season. Such as preventing goalkeepers from kicking the ball past the halfway line without it bouncing first and making yellow cards to the bench cumulative. Both awaiting FIFA Rules Committee approval during the World Cup in Uzbekistan. The RFEF seemed indifferent to the timing, with the Second Division Men’s and First Division Women’s seasons already underway. Juanlu Alonso acknowledged that “the timing is poor. The intent might be right, but the execution is lacking,” while Dani Martínez (ElPozo Murcia) emphasized that it would have been better to implement it next season and called for respect for colleagues already in preseason. Common sense prevailed, and most voted against applying the rule this season, postponing it until the 2025-26 season. However, the coaches’ vote is not binding, and the National Futsal Committee will have the final say.
The farce’s final act came when Advisor Antonio García Plata assured that the new rules would apply across all territories, only for José Miguel Calle to contradict him by excluding Catalonia. The lack of coordination was evident, leading to an emergency meeting on Monday, September 2, between various Federations to unify their positions. With José Miguel Monje, president of the National Futsal Committee, absent (as is his habit, often attending briefly before excusing himself), Antonio García Plata, head of the National Team’s expedition, stepped in. Many leaders agree that García Plata is the face of the regulatory chaos. Which they see as “a cosmetic and political move that has spiraled out of control.”