MADRID, 2 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The president of League F, Beatriz Álvarez, acknowledges that currently “many” of her clubs “are fed up and in a very tired situation” due to all the obstacles that she believes are being found in the professionalization process and that for this reason they can “propose any measure” before the start of a new season for which he does not see it as “vital” to have a ‘title sponsor’ after the controversial break with ‘Finetwork’, although there are already “companies interested” in doing so.
“The clubs have different realities and different concerns, but there are many in the F League who are fed up with this situation right now. There are some who have told us, also even in front of the Minister of Culture and Sports, and who consider not having a professional women’s team perhaps to promote the base,” said Álvarez in an interview with Europa Press.
The leader insists that “the worst” is that the clubs are “drowning” “so that what it generates goes to a third party”, in reference to the RFEF. “The clubs are really fed up with living this situation of conflict and coercion, and they are really worried. And the independent clubs, logically, are suffocated and are worried about not having to pay tomorrow,” she said.
The former soccer player stressed that League F now has “many more resources, much more strength and a structure to walk and build” and that “the only thing” they demand is that they be allowed to “work and build.” “It is clear that we could be growing at a level probably at a much faster rate, but I also say that we have not stopped growing and I am sure that we are not going to stop,” she said.
Beatriz Álvarez warns that the clubs could take “measures” for the start of the season “because there can really come a time that is unsustainable.” “We are fighting for justice, really, for something that we have been believing in for many years, many people and people who have been involved in women’s football for two days will never be able to understand it,” she warned.
“I don’t really know what is going to happen at the start of the league, what I do know is that the clubs are in a very tired situation and many believe that it is unsustainable. And worst of all, they are waiting for the next setback in this situation or the inaction of the Government at certain times, and they can reach the situation, of course, of proposing any measure,” the president stressed.
The FUTPRO union, the majority in women’s football, has already warned that it would not support any measure by the clubs, but Álvarez replied that they are not “proposing a strike by footballers” and also knows that “there are many footballers who are not very happy either or they don’t feel very represented with any of the unions because of the direction they are taking and the friends they are making”.
Thus, it will be the clubs that decide “if they want to stop or take any other type of measure”, although they do not hide the fact that “all the product of the League affects not only the clubs, but also the soccer players”, whom he considers “The biggest victims of any situation” that may occur as the project “did not evolve enough or they really charged it.”
“There are unions that are very concerned about this situation and that they see that the work of their players is in danger. If there is one that does not see it, then perhaps the problem is still within them,” said the president of League F.
“THERE ARE INTERESTED COMPANIES” IN GIVING THE NAME TO LEAGUE F
Beatriz Álvarez also referred to “the tremendous damage to the image” caused by the announcement of ‘Finetwork’, “a partner that was more than a sponsor” that gave its name to the F League, not paying anything for this sponsorship when considering it was not signed.
The Asturian leader reiterated her surprise at this decision because they had participated “in many tables together” and above all because “it calls into question the seriousness” that the championship conveys. “Here is a contract signed for the next three seasons and there has been a contractual relationship from the beginning because otherwise one party would never have attended the entire season,” she explained.
Despite all the controversy, the employers have “absolute tranquility” that the agreement was “completely closed and signed” and that from their part they have “complied” with their “obligations scrupulously.” “‘Finetwork’ had also complied with them, except with the payment and if now they have changed course, they have the problem,” he remarked.
The president of the F League made it clear that they will take “all legal actions” that are in their power to “defend the interests of the clubs”, but also asserted that they have “economic security” thanks to the agreement with LaLiga to be its commercial agency of 42 million euros for five years.
Álvarez flatly ruled out that the fiber and mobile telecommunications operator is going to name an F League and admitted that they have “several scores” for a new sponsor. “There are companies that are interested. It is gratifying to know that there are others that as soon as the ‘Finetwork’ thing was published, they were already interested in entering. We will see in these months if some kind of agreement is reached and to be able to start the competition with a ‘title sponsor'”, he wished.
In any case, he clarified that this new name for the competition “is not vital.” “It is important because in the end it also allows you to work hand in hand on many things from the beginning because we are not only looking for a name from the competition but we are looking for a company that gets involved and we can build this project together. If it could be from the beginning, phenomenal, but we can start perfectly as League F and we’ll see if any company joins. What is clear is that this is already interesting and that we are on the right track, “he said.
“THE AGREEMENT WITH ‘DAZN’ WAS AN ESSENTIAL STEP”
He is happier with the agreement with ‘DAZN’ to broadcast the matches. “We have managed not only to have audiovisual income (35 million in the next five years, but to make women’s football visible, which is something very powerful,” she celebrated.
For the leader, “being able to broadcast all the First Division matches, not only here in Spain, but internationally,” gives them the chance to “reach many more people and other countries.” “Being able to be a benchmark is one of our goals, the ultimate goal would be for the F League to be the world benchmark for women’s football,” she said.
“This (the agreement with ‘DAZN’) was an important step, I would say essential, also for the generation of resources from the clubs themselves. I think this is the path and we are very happy to go hand in hand with ‘DAZN’ and very satisfied with all the work they are doing”, concluded Álvarez.