Explains the president of the Catalan Football Federation (FCF), Joan Soteras Vigo (Sabadell, 1948), who has already become accustomed to living on a rollercoaster of scandals surrounding the Catalan and the Spanish (RFEF). Nothing scares Soteras. Not even close. It is clear what is behind the searches at the FCF headquarters and the electoral challenges. He also assures that if Pedro Rocha wins the RFEF elections, there will be more equality.
How are you personally experiencing everything that is happening in the RFEF and the FCF?
The body gets used to what you give it. I’ve gotten used to the problems. I will finish, if they let me, the three-year mandate. And if I see that they continue to put stones in my way and that they continue to disrespect me, I will run for another four years.
Who lacks respect?
They are always the same. Those who want to preside over and dominate the FCF at any price. I am talking about the candidate Juanjo Isern and also the general secretary of the FCF, Oriol Camacho.
Let’s start with Juanjo Isern, who has again contested the elections for the second time.
To win an election you need to have the confidence of the Catalan clubs. This has not happened to him. If I lose them, I will not challenge them and I will go home. Isern is a sinister character. And he wants to be president to cover up everything that implicates him in the Soule case.
What does it involve, according to you?
There are acts that reflect that Isern, in 2015, was appointed head of FCF infrastructure. He was there for two years and they were the most turbulent, with pharaonic works assigned to the company of Mr. Contreras, which did not have a single worker. Isern testified at the National Court and did not tell the truth about the award of those works, a decision by Andreu Subies. I wanted to go back to the FCF to cover it up.
Does this also involve Mr. Camacho?
Yes. There have been requests from the National Court and this gentleman sent documentation with a sheet covering the defendants and saying that nothing was wrong. In November, with the last requirement, we decided that the general management led by José Miguel Calle had to take letters. We sent 200 folios with the minutes in which we proved that his statements were false. When Mr. Camacho found out, he told us that we had left him “with his ass in the air”. Camacho is on medical leave. But he continues to collect 160,000 euros per year from the FCF. And he has asked to be a protected witness.
At the beginning of March, the offices of the FCF were searched. They are looking for evidence of document falsification and disloyal administration in the last elections.
I wish the Mossos d’Esquadra had had the same energy as when they broke in to rob us on December 31 to take documents from the Soule case. The Mossos should look into why they made a hole in the wall and why they entered my office and that of Mr. Calle. It is curious that they did not enter Mr. Camacho’s, who has the most information.
Do you have contact with ex-president Luis Rubiales?
No. The last time I spoke there was six months ago.
Did you know that Gruconsa, builder of La Cartuja, was the vehicle for alleged bites to Rubiales?
Clearly not. It’s corruption. If so, it’s outrageous.
And business in Arabia?
With Arabia, no one has found anything in five years. We’ll see if they get it when the contract ends. Or maybe nothing happened. Arabia has only brought modest football profits with 16 million for them.
You were one of those who applauded Rubiales when he said he would not resign. Has anything been learned from all this?
Mr. Rubiales had helped Catalonia a lot and that’s why I didn’t react as I should have. We learned a lot. The players stood firm with a number of reasons. Mr. Rocha, president of the management company, has liquidated people that until now seemed impossible. We are on the right track.
Are they decisions that are made because it touches or do you think there really is more awareness?
It costs a lot to change the inertia of recent years.
The BOE has changed the order by which the electoral processes in the federations are regulated for the effective equality of men and women. In the Spanish territories there are 19 presidents. They are all men…
This law can only be applied to the RFEF when there is an elected president. The rest must try to comply with the law. In Catalonia today there is more equality; there are 9% presidents.
You support Pedro Rocha. Do you think that the continuationist option is what the RFEF needs?
Mr. Rubiales put it as another vice president could have put it. But it has nothing to do with it. He is a person of integrity.
What endorsements do you have?
Lots of. Among which, the endorsement of LaLiga that presides over Tebas. It was about time. It suits them to go together.
So, if Rocha wins, will there be alliances with Tebas to play League matches outside Spain?
If the Spanish Super Cup is played in Saudi Arabia, why can’t the League do it? The calendar doesn’t load, there’s only one scroll out. Be it Arabia, Miami or wherever they consider. Well, clubs move out when it suits them financially, right?
Carlos Herrera and Eva Parera are also running for election. Does it give them any options?
They know the requirements and that they must present 15% of their guarantees. If you have them, go ahead. I know Carlos Herrera. It is exceptional. I don’t know Mrs. Parera.
The 2030 World Cup is on the horizon with Portugal and Morocco. Are they afraid that all of this could spill the weight of Spain?
I do not think so. This issue has been discussed with FIFA and is waiting for the elections to be held to normalize the situation. You have to get to work, because Morocco can gain ground.
Can you guarantee that there will be two offices in Catalonia?
If I have not been deceived, yes.
Will the final be at the Bernabéu or Camp Nou?
It is not known, Morocco also wants her.
Why doesn’t the Spanish women’s team play in Catalonia?
There are expenses that, by law, must be borne by the councils, governments or councils. Nobody wants to pay here. The Copa de la Reina final is played in La Romareda because they contribute 300,000 euros.
