LaLiga president Javier Tebas has formally resigned, paving the way for new elections as he seeks a fourth consecutive term.
Tebas, who has held the position since 2013, announced his decision ahead of the scheduled end of his four-year term on December 23.
His resignation, not unexpected, initiates a month-long process for electing a new president, strategically avoiding overlap with the Royal Spanish Football Federation’s presidential elections slated for the first trimester of 2024.
Taking to social media, Tebas stated, “I’ve just submitted my resignation as President of LaLiga before my term concludes on December 23. I’ll enter the upcoming electoral process, seeking the endorsement and trust of the clubs to address the challenges ahead.”
With support reportedly secured from presidents of clubs in the Spanish first and second divisions, Tebas, at 61, is poised to face little competition. Having previously run unopposed in 2013 and 2019, he has been instrumental in bolstering the financial standing of the country’s top football clubs and advocating for LaLiga to match the economic prowess of the Premier League.
Tebas’s efforts extend to enhancing LaLiga’s global visibility, evident in long-term agreements with ESPN for game broadcasts in the United States. Known for his critique of the spending power of clubs like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, he has accused “state-owned football clubs” of violating UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules.
Tebas is currently the only candidate for the elections, without a date as of yet, aiming for a fourth consecutive mandate.
After Tebas’ resignation, two vice-presidents, Miguel Ángel Gil Marín and Quico Catalan will head the La Liga provisionally until the new president is elected. They will set up an electoral commission in order to find that new president, which will consist of three La Liga clubs and two Segunda clubs to ensure the process is conducted above board.
