Spanish Football League's North Africa, Middle East Dir Describes Region's Potential

Fernando Sanz, the director general of the Spanish Football League's (LFP) North Africa & Middle East delegation, described "the organization's effort to expand and internationalize the LFP brand," according to Juan Jiménez of AS. Sanz said of what he sees in the region, "Potential. In our zone of influence in MENA, from Morocco to Iran, there are 350 million potential fans. It is a population that is also young. More than 50% is younger than 25, and what interests us most is loyalty. More than 178 million from this region watch La Liga every weekend. ... It is here where we have to look for sources of revenue and partnerships." Sanz said of La Liga adjusting its schedule to convenience foreign fans, "One has to protect the Spanish fan but if we want to grow we have to be open. The matches at noon or 4pm have helped us outside [Spain]. I received positive feedback in work meetings. And we have not lost attendance at stadiums. It has increased a bit" (AS, 4/23).