The Higher Sports Council (CSD) opened the door to a possible precautionary disqualification of Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, after the Government has transferred to the Prosecutor's Office his ties with Fuenlabrada. “It is something that is contemplated in the administrative process but at this moment we are not there. At this moment we have simply started the file,” he said Irene Lozano, president of the organization, after a meeting with the Government delegate in Madrid, José Manuel Franco.
The president explained at what moment the situation is now: “The Government yesterday informed the Prosecutor's Office of the different facts that we have been learning in recent months regarding the links that exist between Javier Tebas and Fuenlabrada. The prosecution will have to investigate and decide what to do. ” “At the same time we have opened an administrative file to analyze the situation in administrative terms, not possible or alleged crimes, which is what the Prosecutor's Office is investigating. We are in that situation,” he said.
Asked about the why of this decision, indicated: “We have allowed the competent bodies of the sports organizations, which are those that have jurisdiction over the competition and what happened in July and the following days, do their job and the impression we received at the end of August is that the case had been falsely closed“.” It seems to us that events serious enough had occurred that this was not the case. If the Prosecutor's Office considers that it should be closed again, we can say that it has been rigorously investigated and rigorously closed. That is the goal, “he added.
Lozano does not fear the response of Thebes: “We have to make our decisions to protect citizens and in this case to protect athletes, footballers, from everything that puts them at risk.” “It is work to protect the sector that I have to do with those behaviors that are not exemplary or positive for sport, that put athletes and the image of our sport at risk. If someone interprets this as a movement of hostility, they will I'm sorry, but that's the way it is, “he added.
Likewise does not think this will affect the competition: “The stability of football is guaranteed, above all we guarantee it through the very demanding and very strict protocols in which we work together and we have continued to do so after the 19-20 season ended.” “The 20-21 season will start in the context of the pandemic, in a complicated context, but in no way will the competition be contaminated by administrative or criminal matters,” he said.
Nor would this panorama imply a modification in the conditions of the championship due to the possible request of some teams to be readmitted to LaLiga SmartBank: “That debate is already over. LaLiga, which is the one who had to make those decisions, took them. And that debate is over. “
Exchange of information
The president of the Higher Sports Council, Irene Lozano, and the Government delegate in Madrid, José Manuel Franco, met this Tuesday at the CSD headquarters to exchange information on the evolution of the coronavirus pandemic in the capital and the way it is affecting athletes.
After the meeting, the representatives of both parties visited the facilities of the High Performance Center (CAR) and witnessed the training of some athletes live.
“It was a fundamental meeting for us in terms of sharing information about the situation of the epidemic in Madrid. We are very concerned about the situation here, not only for those who work in the CSD itself but also for the athletes in the CAR “. In this context, we have the 'Concentrates in Tokyo' plan, where it is planned to take measures to protect athletes and allow them to continue training, “explained Lozano.
“But to anticipate what may happen we need to have good information on the epidemiological situation in Madrid. The objective of this meeting with the Government delegate was that exchange of information and know first-hand what they have, the assessment that he makes of the situation, because for us it is very useful and necessary, “he added.
One of the objectives is to seek the tranquility of the athletes: “They have been coming to train here since May-June with a very strict protocol that guarantees the health safety of everyone. I think that in managing some complicated days, the protocol foresees the difficulties that may appear. That is their objective, not the risk. zero because that does not exist in a pandemic “.
For his part, José Manuel Franco highlighted the management carried out by Lozano: “I want to congratulate you and thank you for the magnificent work you are doing, now especially in the pandemic that is when good managers and those who are not so good are seen with greater clarity. The Secretary of State has shown sensitivity, good sense and solvency”.
“And she is now showing it by being proactive about what may happen, which may not happen, which would be to reach a new confinement. She is guaranteeing the practice of sport safely, that our athletes can go to Tokyo in optimal conditions to obtain the medals that we usually get, “he completed.