Spain's CSD To Rule On Spanish Football Federation's Fight Against Third-Party Investors

Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Angel María Villar "is taking his fight against third-party investors seriously," according to Jiménez & Llorens of AS. An RFEF Delegate Committee's "approval of Villar's idea could mean an immediate ruling by the RFEF that would specify limits on third-party investors." This "rule change would have to be passed" by Spain's Superior Sports Council (CSD). There are "many gray areas in this subject, which have been tied up in England and France and are being discussed in Italy." The two "complaints against third-party ownership of players are that investors can decide where a player signs, which FIFA prohibits; and that investment firms entering into clubs could interfere in competition due to conflicts of interest" (AS, 6/4).