February 14 – With the elections for president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) due to take place in March, Spanish goalkeeping legend Iker Casillas is back in the frame to stand against the incumbent, Luis Rubiales.
Last month former Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajor emerged as a possible contender to challenge Rubiales if Casillas decided not to go ahead.
But Spanish press reports suggest Casillas, who has been recovering from a heart attack he suffered during a training session in April 2019, may be ready to take on Rubiales which would spell the end of the 38-year-old’s playing career.
Rubiales has been a divisive figure ever since taking over, with his first decision to relieve Julen Lopetegui of his duties as coach of the Spanish national side on the eve of the World Cup in 2018. He has been in constant conflict with Javier Tebas, the president of the Spanish league.
Casillas has told the national sports council (CSD) of his intention to run, according to Spanish reports, and has apparently been in direct contact with CSD president Irene Lozano, secretary of state for sport. The date of the election has not been decided.
Casillas played 167 times for Spain, winning two Euros and one World Cup, and made more than 700 appearances for Real Madrid, with whom he won the Champions League three times. He joined Porto in 2015 but has not played since his heart attack.
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