Futsal Takes Center Stage in RFEF Election Campaign
Salvador Gomar, a candidate in the upcoming Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) elections on December 16, is making futsal a cornerstone of his electoral platform. The president of the Valencian Football Federation is pursuing an ambitious strategy to revitalize futsal, with a particular focus on recruiting José Tirado, the renowned general director of Palma Futsal.
At the heart of Gomar’s proposal is a dramatic financial boost for futsal. He plans to double the current budget allocated to the National Futsal Committee, potentially increasing funding from approximately 9 million to 18 million euros. This significant investment reflects Gomar’s conviction that Spain, home to the world’s top futsal team, deserves the world’s premier futsal league.
Tirado, nicknamed the futsalero ‘Monchi’ and twice named the world’s best sports director, is a key target for Gomar’s vision. The two recently met in Palma to discuss a potential collaboration that could reshape Spanish futsal’s future. Tirado, currently vice president of the Balearic Football Federation, has not yet committed but expressed gratitude for being considered.
The campaign promises extend beyond financial investment. Gomar aims to:
- Create an Executive Commission that brings together all levels of futsal
- Develop consensus among clubs, players, and referees on calendars and regulations
- Establish a marketing department to generate sponsorships for national competitions
The context is particularly significant given the sport’s fractured recent history. Since Luis Rubiales removed competitions from the National Futsal League (LNFS) in October 2019, the futsal community has been deeply divided.
Tirado sees Gomar’s proposal as potentially transformative. He highlighted the plan’s focus on improving futsal’s visibility, attracting sponsors, and expanding its audience. The Mallorcan leader described the proposal as “a unique moment in futsal” that could mark a turning point for the sport.
With the elections just days away, Gomar’s futsal-centric approach represents a bold strategy to reinvigorate a sport that was immensely popular in the 1990s and remains a source of national pride for Spanish sports enthusiasts.
