In a surprising development, La Liga’s long-serving president, Javier Tebas, announced his resignation from the prestigious post on Wednesday.
His decision comes as he aims to run for reelection in the forthcoming elections, marking a significant turning point in the leadership of the top-tier Spanish football league.
Tebas, who has held the role since April 2013, revealed his decision via a post on social media. He said, “A few minutes ago, I presented my resignation as President of LaLiga prior to the end of my term, which ended on December 23. A new electoral process will open in which I will present myself, so I will request the endorsement and trust of the clubs to take on the challenges at hand.”
La Liga issued a corresponding statement, announcing the initiation of the electoral process with the appointment of an electoral commission, effectively beginning the transition of leadership within the organization.
As of now, Javier Tebas stands as the sole candidate for the upcoming elections, although no specific date has been set for the election yet. If he successfully secures his fourth consecutive mandate, it will further cement his influential role in Spanish football administration.
Throughout his tenure, the 61-year-old football administrator has left an indelible mark on La Liga. One of his significant achievements was the reform of the Spanish football television rights system in 2015. He centralized the sale of television rights, a groundbreaking move in Spain, where individual clubs had previously negotiated separate broadcasting deals.
In addition to his domestic initiatives, Tebas has been a vocal opponent of the proposed European Super League, a project now only supported by Real Madrid and Barcelona. He has also crusaded against what he termed “financial doping” by state-owned clubs, citing examples like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
Javier Tebas’s resignation and subsequent bid for reelection mark a pivotal moment in La Liga’s history, as the football world watches closely to see how his vision and leadership will shape the league’s future in the years to come.
The Spanish football community eagerly anticipates the forthcoming elections and the potential continuation of Tebas’s legacy at the helm of La Liga.
