Following his first meeting with La Liga President Javier Tebas, Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales revealed some "major upcoming changes," according to MARCA. He said of changing the Copa del Rey to one-leg matches, "Honestly, about only one game I think we are closer than we thought. This year it's impossible because the rights have been sold, but in 2019-20 it will be a reality." Rubiales said of changing the dates of this year's Supercopa, "We have different positions and we have asked for facts to see which possibilities there are to try to find an agreement. I've spoken with Barcelona and Sevilla. La Liga wants a different calendar to what we want. There's a desire to talk, and we will see if we can come to an agreement" (MARCA, 6/1).
RUBIALES RIPS LARREA: In Madrid, Javier G. Matallanas reported Rubiales accused Juan Luis Larrea, his rival in the RFEF presidential election and the previous interim president of the organization, of organizing a €2M ($2.33M) "trip for sponsors and associates to stay in super-luxury hotels during the World Cup." Rubiales: "I have tremendous anger over a trip agreed upon by directors, sponsors and associates that costs around €2M, which seems to me to be a tremendous waste. ... It seems logical to me to invite the families of players and sponsors, but it is another thing to pay for macro-vacations in super-luxury hotels, with seven- or eight-day stays. The Spanish Football Federation is not here for this. ... At the next Euro, things will not be like this" (AS, 6/3). MARCA reported Larrea addressed Rubiales' claim, saying, "I did not make this decision. But I do want to say that I'm familiar with many World Cups and Euros and all families and sponsors, as well as many execs, have always been brought to the events" (MARCA, 6/3).
