RFEF seeking early end to partnership that runs through 2026. Getty Images German sportswear giant Adidas has announced the launch of legal proceedings against the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for seeking an early termination of their long-term partnership. Adidas' RFEF contract is worth a reported €18 million (US$20.4 million) a year and does not expire until 2026. However, last month the Spanish soccer body announced that it would be terminating the deal early, saying it disputes the ‘legality, transparency and fairness’ of the arrangement, also confirming that it had already approached potential new partners. Now Adidas has responded by confirming it has initiated legal proceedings. In a statement, the German brand said: ‘In 2015, Adidas and the RFEF signed an extension of the current contract, expanding its duration from 2019 to 2026. This is a binding agreement that does not include an exit clause for any of the parties. Adidas has always acted in good faith and would like to continue the successful support given to the RFEF and to Spanish soccer. ‘Unfortunately due to the recent actions taken by RFEF and to preserve the legitimate interests of the brand with the three stripes, Adidas is forced to take legal action to ensure that the RFEF complies with the established contract until the end of the agreed period.’ Adidas has been a supplier of Spain’s national teams since 1992, and the latest renewal, covering the men’s and women’s teams, and all age group sides, was agreed in September 2015 under long-serving former RFEF president Angel Maria Villar. The value of that contract pales in comparison to others in the market. For example, the Football Association’s (FA) deal with Nike to provide apparel for the English national teams pays UK£33.33 million (US$41.88 million) a season. Luis Rubiales, the current RFEF president who defeated Villar in an election in May 2018, has sought to conduct a transformation of the federation. Villar, formerly a senior Fifa and Uefa executive, was formally ousted from the helm of the national federation at the end of 2017 having been suspended for his role in a corruption scandal. Since taking office, Rubiales has pursued policies that aim to reconsolidate power in a federation that has seen its domestic influence drift towards La Liga, the professional body for Spanish soccer’s top two tiers. Rubiales has initiated conflict over control of the elite women’s game, stood firm against La Liga’s plans to play matches overseas and revamped the Supercoppa in a bid to increase its commercial appeal.
Adidas has started legal action against RFEF (the Spanish Football Federation) over its attempts to prematurely end their commercial partnership. The two organisations have a deal that runs until 2026 and is worth a reported $20m per year. However, the Spanish Football Federation announced last month it would withdraw from the agreement, questioning its legality, transparency and fairness. Adidas said it was left with no choice but to initiate legal action to enforce the terms of the contract.