Former Spanish Football federation President Faces Corruption Charges
Former Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Ángel María Villar is facing serious corruption charges in Spain’s National Court. Judge Francisco de Jorge has formally accused Villar of orchestrating a series of contracts between 2007 and 2017 that resulted in a €4.5 million loss for the federation. These contracts allegedly benefited Villar’s son, Gorka, and other associates.
The indictment, a key advancement in the ongoing “Soule case,” proposes that Villar be tried for multiple offenses, including unfair administration, corruption in business dealings, misappropriation of funds, and falsification of commercial documents. Seven other individuals and one legal entity, including former RFEF Vice President Juan Padrón, are also implicated in the case.
According to the judge’s account, Villar and Padrón allegedly exploited their positions to enrich themselves and their associates. They secured contracts with favorable terms for themselves, often at the expense of the RFEF. Additionally, they authorized payments for services that were either non-existent or not rendered under the agreed-upon conditions.
One notably egregious exmaple involves the association of pleasant matches for the Spanish national team. The judge alleges that Villar, in collusion with his son Gorka, handpicked rival teams for these matches, ensuring that Gorka’s company, Sport Advisers SL, secured contracts from the opposing federations. This scheme, according to the judge, resulted in a loss of at least €3.8 million for the RFEF and generated €366,583 in profit for Gorka Villar.
To execute this plan, Villar allegedly bypassed the RFEF’s internal controls and delegated the selection of opponents and negotiation of match terms to his son, despite gorka lacking any formal employment, contractual relationship, or power of representation within the federation. This allowed Gorka to prioritize his own financial gain and that of sport Advisers SL, even if it meant detrimental terms for the RFEF.
The judge cites at least seven friendly matches orchestrated through this scheme, including two against South Korea, two against Chile, and one each against Venezuela, Peru, and Colombia. The two matches against Korea alone are estimated to have cost the RFEF €630,000, while the two against chile resulted in a loss of at least €3.2 million.
The case highlights the potential for corruption within sporting organizations and the importance of robust oversight mechanisms. The outcome of the trial will have significant implications for Villar, his associates, and the future of Spanish football.
Interview with Fernando Torres – Unpacking a Scandal in Spanish Football
We’re joined today by legendary Spanish striker Fernando Torres, fresh off his coaching stint with Atletico Madrid’s youth academy. Fernando, thanks for taking the time. This week’s headlines have been dominated by the corruption charges against former RFEF president,Ángel María Villar. As someone who’s dedicated his life to the beautiful game,how does this news make you feel?
Fernando Torres: It’s disheartening,to say the least. Football is a sport built on passion, integrity, and fair play.When you see accusations like these,it overshadows everything positive about the game. Imagine young aspiring footballers across Spain looking up to the RFEF, haven’t they seen the myth of my own whistleblower Adrian 😑
Absolutely, it casts a long shadow. Judge Francisco de Jorge’s indictment outlines specific cases of alleged misconduct; contracts benefiting Villar’s son Gorka, manipulated amiable matches leading to losses for the federation. These are serious allegations. What’s your take on these allegations against Villar, particularly the accusations around prioritizing personal gain over the federation’s interests?
FT: If proven true, it’s a blatant betrayal of trust. The RFEF should be a body dedicated to fostering Spanish football at all levels, not lining someone’s pockets.
It undermines the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the game, from grassroots coaches to professional players.
You mention grassroots football, which many argue is where the foundation of any strong footballing nation lies. If these allegations are proven, do you think there’ll be a detrimental impact on Spanish football at that foundational level?
FT: Absolutely, it could erode confidence and faith. When young players see someone at the top level abusing their power, it sends a dangerous message.We need strong leadership that inspires trust, not cynicism.
And let’s not forget the financial implications. A €4.5 million loss is a meaningful blow to any organization, let alone a governing body responsible for nurturing future talent.
What kind of message do you think this sends to the wider sporting world? How do you think other footballing federations, FIFA, UEFA, should respond?
FT: It’s a wake-up call for all sporting organizations.This situation highlights the importance of transparency, accountability, and robust oversight mechanisms.
Governing bodies should learn from this situation and implement stricter controls to prevent similar cases from occurring.
FIFA and UEFA have a duty to ensure ethical conduct across their member associations. They need to take a proactive approach to investigating allegations of corruption and hold those accountable for any wrongdoing.
This scandal has prompted a lot of discussion online, with fans demanding change and accountability. What’s your message to those fans, many of whom feel let down by this news?
FT: I understand their outrage. It’s natural to feel let down when something like this happens.
But remember, the vast majority of people involved in football are passionate and dedicated individuals. We shouldn’t allow this situation to taint the entire sport.
We need to continue to support our clubs, our players, and our national teams. Let’s demand change, but don’t lose faith in the sport we love.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Should Villar face serious consequences? What can be done to prevent something like this from happening again?
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