The Court of First Instance number 33 of Madrid has accepted for processing a lawsuit filed by more than 330 coaches against the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), promoted, among others, by the National Coaches Committee (CENAFE) and the Transparency Association and Democracy chaired by Miguel Galán.
The claim denounces issues such as the violation of article 14 of the Spanish Constitution by the RFEF, as well as the free movement of workers within the EU.
According to it, coaches who have obtained their qualifications in public educational centers or legally authorized by educational administrations are deprived of being able to practice their profession outside of Spain since the RFEF prevents them from doing so by denying the issuance of the so-called UEFA License. which, on the contrary, does issue and deliver to those who have studied “under the federative umbrella.”
“With the qualification of Higher Sports Technician in Football, any of the plaintiffs could coach a first division football team (such as Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, Barcelona, etc.) in the Spanish competition, and yet, they could not could do so to a French third division team because the RFEF would not issue the qualification (UEFA diploma or license) if it does not pay the fees (up to €1,050) to undergo a competency accreditation procedure convened, created, controlled and evaluated by the RFEF itself exclusively,” he adds.
The complaint states that there are thousands of coaches who find themselves in this situation and that they have been forced to reject job offers from outside Spain (the vast majority, in minor leagues or in amateur categories).
After its admission in court, the RFEF will receive the summons to appear in the process in the coming days and so will the Prosecutor’s Office.