Spanish Football Federation’s International Expansion: Futsal Super Cup Heads to Saudi Arabia
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is exploring an ambitious plan to internationalize its futsal competitions. Under the leadership of President Rafael Louzán, the federation is in advanced negotiations to extend its football contract with Saudi Arabia, with a potential innovative twist – including the Futsal Super Cup as part of the agreement.
During recent discussions with Saudi sports officials, including Deputy Minister of Sports Badr bin Abdulrahman Al-Qadi, the RFEF discovered mutual interest in expanding sports collaboration. The Saudis have shown particular enthusiasm for hosting the futsal tournament, seeing it as an opportunity to further develop their sporting infrastructure.
The proposed Super Cup tournament would maintain its existing format, featuring the league champion, King’s Cup winner, Spanish Cup victor, and the top-performing team from the First Division. This would mark a significant milestone, as the competition has traditionally been held exclusively within Spain since its inception in 1991.
The futsal landscape in Saudi Arabia has been rapidly evolving, with significant investments in international talent. Recently, clubs have made notable signings, including Portuguese player Pany Varela’s transfer to Al-Nasr for €250,000 and Brazilian player Cleber moving to Al-Qadsiah for €200,000. These investments signal the country’s commitment to developing its futsal ecosystem.
finance
Financially, the move could be particularly beneficial for the futsal clubs. Currently, the RFEF offers a modest €2,000 prize for the Super Cup champion – a stark contrast to the €8 million awarded in football competitions. The potential Saudi agreement might significantly increase this financial incentive.
The negotiations also encompass broader collaborative efforts, including potential training programs for technicians and referees, and potential advisory roles in developing women’s futsal competitions.
While details are still being finalized, Louzán expressed optimism about the upcoming “declaration of intent” that could reshape the future of Spanish futsal on the international stage.
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