José Luis Astiazarán
| José Luis Astiazarán | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| President of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 15 July 2005 |
|
| Vice President | Javier Tebas Medrano |
| Preceded by | Pedro Tomás Marqués |
| Personal details | |
| Born | José Luis Astiazarán Iriondo October 31, 1963 San Sebastián, Spain |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
José Luis Astiazarán Iriondo (born 31 October 1963 in San Sebastián, Basque Country) is a Spanish lawyer specializing in sport and commercial and civil law, and the current president of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional.
Contents |
Football career[edit]
A forward, Astiazarán graduated from Real Sociedad's youth academy, but only appeared for its reserves, the same happening at his following team, Basque neighbours Athletic Bilbao.
He also played for Sestao Sport Club – also in his native region – appearing in a total of 43 Segunda División games during his short career (four goals), 14 for Bilbao Athletic. In 1992 he returned to his first team, working with its board of directors until 2001.
Law career[edit]
While still working with Real Sociedad as a director, Astiazarán also acted as legal adviser for athletes, companies and institutions in the sports sector. He became president of the club on 22 March 2001 and left the position in 2005, leaving the club in a poor sporting and economic situation – €10 million worth of debt.
On 15 July 2005 Astiazarán was appointed president of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional (Professional Football League), the body governing both La Liga and the second division. Having earlier served as vice president and member of the board of directors in the organization, he won the election unanimously, with all but three clubs – Real Sociedad, SD Eibar and CA Osasuna – showing him support;[1] he was re-elected in April 2009 for another period of four years.[2]
Astiazarán is a member of the European Professional Football Leagues board of directors, and a member of the FIFA Player's Status Committee sub-committee, which verifies the transfers of minor players. In mid-May 2009, he claimed the 6+5 rule wouldn't have a negative impact on Spanish football.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ Paradinas, Juan José (15 July 2005). "La Liga estrena presidente" [La Liga has new president] (in Spanish). El País. Retrieved 13 June 2008.
- ^ "Spanish clubs want us to put limits on spending". Goal.com. 31 March 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
- ^ "6+5 rule is ‘No problem’ for president of Spain’s La Liga". The New York Times. 19 May 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
External links[edit]
- BDFutbol player profile
- Liga de Fútbol Profesional website (Spanish)
- El País profile (Spanish)
