During the presidency of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales plotted a motion of no confidence to dethrone the long-ruling Ángel María Villar after nearly three decades at the helm. Rubiales aimed to elevate himself without relying on votes, a move that drew cautious attention from the CSD. In 2017, Villar was removed from power for a grave breach of sports regulations: he chaired the Steering Committee while running for re-election as RFEF president. The Rubiales era began after a swift, one-year transition led by Juan Luis Larrea.
It appeared Villar might exploit his successor’s missteps to settle old scores, but he chose restraint. In retirement, Villar described himself as a man of forgiveness, spirituality, and peace. He spent a short stint in jail, and in a rare public remark about the scandal, the 73-year-old Villar, now living modestly, offered a message of sympathy for Rubiales’ exuberant drive.
“When players are on the field, nerves show in the game, yet leaders carry a far greater tension that cannot be fully expressed. We must keep control, and sometimes we slip; that is when our behavior still shows,” he told Radio Marca, adding that he understands such reactions because he is human, not a distant figure.
Villar faced suspicions and a dismissal connected to questionable activities. He also faced a high-profile investigation and a detention that led to a search. Although tied to the same broad period of controversy, his case and the Soule investigation ran in parallel, with no direct link between them. The scandal, in any case, left lasting questions about integrity in football administration.
high bail
In the Soule affair, allegations of diverting public and private funds converged. A National Court judge ordered the arrest of Villar, his son Gorka, and Juan Padrón, then the RFEF’s vice president of economics. Prosecutors described a network of clients and connections, releasing them only after a substantial bail of 300,000 euros in Villar’s case. After more than four years, evidence of alleged interpersonal corruption, false accounting, and abuse of funds continued to surface as investigations persisted.
Ángel María Villar and Sánchez Arminio appeared at the National Court to testify in Operation Soule, with no statements made about Enríquez Negreira in those proceedings.
“The legal process moves slowly, and lives are altered. Others protest and sue, yet changes are rare. I stood up because I am a fighter, a devoted Catholic who reads the Bible and prays in difficult times. I hold no grudges, extend handshakes to those who want to build, and seek only to be declared innocent. I have done nothing wrong, nor do I feel like a criminal,” he stated in a translated interview.
A transformation followed the years of leadership: Villar, once a dominant force in Spanish football, was described as stubborn and fiercely loyal, with a fierce temper toward the press and a demanding style toward players. His era is remembered for both triumphs and tumult, a clash of personalities that defined an era in the sport’s memory.
Quereda’s stain
Villar’s tenure intersected with other influential figures, including José Luis Rock, who led the federation for a period, and Paul Porta, a longtime observer from 1975 to 1984. Villar was reelected despite ongoing scandals and lawsuits, though he was ultimately acquitted of charges. During his leadership, Spain achieved notable sporting successes including Olympic gold in Barcelona 92, European trophies, and World Cup appearances in Africa and beyond.
He balanced the RFEF presidency with vice presidencies at UEFA and FIFA. At one point, he even served as UEFA chairman. The era, however, was marred by corruption investigations and debates about governance in football’s top bodies. He remained a controversial figure, arguing that the choices made were defensible and that the process should be seen in context of the sport’s global governance.
sadness that weighs heavy
When describing a leader who commanded loyalty for decades, it is worth noting other figures tied to the period. Ignacio Quereda, a longtime coach and predecessor to later national team leadership, faced criticism and controversy during his long tenure. The team’s performance under his leadership was mixed, and concerns persisted for years before changes were made. While Quereda’s era presented challenges, his resignation in 2015 followed failures that critics argued were left unaddressed for too long.
In the broader landscape, the Basque leader faced conflicts with government bodies, clubs, LaLiga, and the players’ association, yet emerged from these disputes with little visible damage to his standing. He now speaks of retirement with a pension and a portfolio of properties, noting that the judicial process, while arduous, did not compromise his health, and emphasizing the importance of health in the face of public scrutiny.
With Villar’s legacy, the conversation about leadership in football continues. The cases around him and his contemporaries illustrate how governance, loyalty, and accountability intersect in big sports organizations. The public memory of those years remains complex, blending moments of achievement with episodes of controversy that continue to prompt examination and reflection across the sport in Canada and the United States, and around the world. The ongoing dialogue emphasizes the need for transparent governance, robust oversight, and a commitment to fair play at every level of the game.
Notably, the legacy of leadership in Spanish football is debated in the context of broader governance and ethics in sports, a discussion that resonates with audiences in Canada and the United States as they watch the sport evolve and confront similar challenges in their leagues and federations. Citations: ongoing coverage and records from national and international sports courts and press narratives are used to contextualize these events and are attributed where relevant.