Inter wins the Cup in the midst of futsal's devaluation
Futsal has lost all the inertia it had for 30 years under the RFEF and the National Futsal League (LNFS).
The RFEF rent the Wizink Center in Madrid along with all the extras that one of the most important venues in Europe has, pay for the Eurostars Madrid Tower hotel for the eight participating clubs and pay the prizes for the participation of the teams. The return is zero euros. A competition that has historically served to highlight the value of national futsal inside and outside Spain has ended up in an annoying tournament that does not even please the teams that have earned the right to play in it.
The television troubles began when competing clubs belonging to the LNFS, i.e. all except Movistar Inter, sent a letter to the RFEF warning that the matches should be broadcast on Gol TV because their rights were subscribed to by that channel's production company. The Federation did not listen to the clubs and put the Cup in the hands of Teledeporte. The public channel did what it could. On Thursday it did not broadcast the first match between Jimbee Cartagena and Viña Albali Valdepeñas. On Friday, it made the big mistake not to leave airtime between the two quarter-final matches. Levante-Zaragoza finished shortly before 21:00, when Barça-ElPozo should have started. The RFEF asked the two clubs to take the field without warming up or to do so inside the Wizink facilities so as not to delay the start. The two teams refused and the possibility of not playing the match was a possibility until the organisers gave in. The match started at almost 21:30, which included a penalty shoot-out, and concluded almost two hours later. After the curfew in Madrid, which put the fans in the stands at risk.
The RFEF tried to offer the Spanish Cup matches to the regional television stations. An interesting product, among other things, because the fans had not been able to move due to the perimeter closures. Social networks were quick to comment that Telemadrid would broadcast the matches of the Madrid representative, Inter Movistar. When the channels learned that these clubs had sold their television rights until 2023, they decided not to accept the RFEF's offer.
Media disaster resulted in a media blackout. The RFEF was not allowed to broadcast the goal videos on social networks since they don't own the images of these clubs. Twitter or Twitch know the terms of the image contract and delete any video referring to the teams represented by the LNFS. All you can see are pictures and more pictures.
Teledeporte complies with orders and produces and broadcasts these Spanish Cup matches, although it knows that there are lawsuits in the courts. Next April there will be a ruling on whether it should stop broadcasting futsal matches. Those clubs that unilaterally left the association will also find out whether or not they will remain in audiovisual limbo.
Teams were accommodated by the RFEF in a luxurious hotel in the north of the capital. One of the four towers of the former Real Madrid sports complex housed the players, coaching staff and management of eight futsal teams. Ten kilometres separate the hotel from the Wizink Center and ElPozo Murcia had to travel an extra 25 kilometres on Thursday afternoon to train at the Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas. The RFEF did not allow them to train on the pitch where they were to play against Barcelona the following day.
Health measures by the Community of Madrid allowed 1,500 spectators at the Wizink Center. RFEF's sole economic relief was to set impossible prices. The fan who wanted to see the whole competition could not buy a season ticket and the sum of the tickets reached 80 euros. Not to mention a possible sanction on Friday for breaking curfew.
The Cup came out because it was paid for. If the cost in Malaga was 450,000 euros, in Madrid it could have exceeded that amount. The city did not know that the most important tournament in Spanish futsal was being held. No connection occurred with the public surrounding the facilities. The Minicopa, a competition between the junior teams, did not take place. The RFEF claims they have their own regional championships for that purpose. Such intention principle suggests that if the King's Cup in futsal already exists, perhaps it is not necessary to prolong the agony of organising a Spanish Cup. Eight clubs, most of which do not support the RFEF itself and suffer its severe economic and sporting sanctions.
Joan Laporta watched his club's first final after taking office. The new Barça president sent a message to the RFEF with his presence in the box. And Luis Rubiales received it with his absence. Barça is the impetus that the RFEF needs to make futsal more of its own. But you have to look among Laporta's backers to find the main reason why the Catalan club will not follow in the footsteps of the clubs that once betrayed futsal. Historic clubs that are above mediocre managers and that continue to win trophies thanks to their true driving force: futsal.