The Extraordinary General Assembly of the Royal Spanish Football Federation approved the proposed budget by a solid majority this Thursday, confirming a total of 392.1 million euros for the coming period. Among the notable changes, the assembly also decided to remove the housing allowance from the president’s salary for 2024, signaling a shift toward a stricter cost framework while maintaining essential programs and initiatives across Spanish football.
According to Eduardo Bandrés, the RFEF Treasurer, the budget reflects key milestones and performance indicators across the federation’s activity spectrum. These include the Absolute Men’s team competing in the European Championship held in Germany, the U-23 squad contending in its European Championship, and ongoing preparation for the Olympic Games. The plan also accounts for the anticipated participation of the Women’s Absolute team in Paris and the potential candidacy for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which would involve Portugal and Morocco. These expectations influence both revenue projections and expenditure allocations as the federation maps a multi-year development trajectory. [Citation: RFEF Financial Office]
In numerical terms, the 392.1 million euro total represents a modest increase of 2.55 percent over the prior year’s 382.3 million. Revenue streams are diversified: audiovisual rights sales and marketing contribute about 30 percent (roughly 117 million), sponsorships add around 20 percent (approximately 78 million), and the organization and participation in events furnish about 10 percent (around 39 million). The remaining balance supports other federation activities, including subsidies and programmatic investments that sustain the sport at both elite and grassroots levels. [Citation: RFEF Budget Reports]
Bandrés also addressed the publicly funded component, noting that the federation receives a subsidy from the Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD) that is close to 10 million euros in total, of which around 7.5 million would be directed toward the World Cup bid if pursued. He emphasized that public funding is not tied to the General State Budget in a direct, one-to-one manner; instead, a portion comes from the federation’s own income, underscoring the federation’s financial independence in funding its activities. [Citation: CSD Statements]
On the expenditure side, the Treasurer highlighted continuity with routine programs that form the backbone of RFEF activities. The plan allocates 84.5 million euros to aid non-professional clubs and competitions, a figure reflecting ongoing commitment to the broader football ecosystem beyond the professional tier. Regional Federations receive about 31 million euros, while the Values Quarry program accounts for roughly 10.3 million euros, representing nearly a third of total costs and illustrating the federation’s investment in youth development and ethical coaching standards. The budget also earmarks funds for national teams amounting to 64 million euros, and for the 2030 World Cup bid, signaling strategic focus on long-term international competitiveness. Additionally, the costs associated with the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey are covered by revenues generated from services payments, while arbitration expenses are supported within the overall structure of the federation’s income streams. [Citation: RFEF Expenditure Plan]
The General Assembly ultimately approved the budget by a wide margin: 70 votes in favor, 2 against, and 1 abstention. The session, attended by roughly half of the federation’s members due to absences, also endorsed the Management Commission’s ongoing plan, including CPI adjustments for December as an add-on to the existing framework. The discussion touched on the president’s compensation, including the housing allowance that was eliminated as part of the broader cost-reduction measures. The assembly also noted that Luis Rubiales’ gross monthly income stood at 3,000 euros, a data point referenced during deliberations about executive remuneration and governance transparency. [Citation: RFEF General Assembly Proceedings]