Gustavo Sáenz: "I thought the electoral process would be more decent, cleaner, and more peaceful."

The elections were scheduled for December 20, but were ultimately held on July 26. Seven months of waiting have kept La Rioja football in limbo until it found its new president: Gustavo Sáenz (Alicante, 1975), whose partnership with former footballer Raúl Ruiz proved key to the victory . "I was born in Alicante, but I've been a lifelong Logroño resident. And from Rincón, although I now live in Navarrete," the leader explains to El Confidencial.

The electoral process has been plagued by paralysis and appeals . The ruling party's candidacy— led by Jesús Alonso, cousin of Jacinto Alonso, the outgoing president who had been in office for 16 years —argued to the Electoral Board that Sáenz did not meet the eligibility requirements. However, the La Rioja Sports Court ruled in Gustavo's favor.

The Alonsos tried to halt the process until the final week. They requested precautionary measures after again using the eligibility argument, but the ruling of the High Court of Justice of La Rioja once again ruled in favor of Sáenz. The numbers were right for him and Ruiz , and with 43 votes, they have become the duo that will lead La Rioja football .

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QUESTION: It was your third attempt at the federation presidency. How did the opportunity arise nine years ago?

ANSWER: I'm glad you asked this question. The first time I ran, I did so because of my friend Eduardo Guerra, the late president of the Sociedad Deportivo Logroñés. He told me what he thought, how he saw the people in the federation , and that he wasn't happy. In 2016, I made the decision to take the plunge and run. I thought the electoral process would be more decent, cleaner, and smoother. But I realized, as we progressed, that there were many obstacles and that it would be very complicated. Knowing we were going to lose, we forced the situation to get to the final vote, where we won 17 assembly members.

Q. Was it a surprise to encounter that world of sharks?

A. Yes, yes. I saw that there were many clubs that appreciated and valued me, because I'd been involved in the world of futsal for a long time. I thought we could make a difference in La Rioja football. But we saw the difficulty of achieving it and the tensions and tricks that arise. We understand sport for what it truly is: something beautiful.

Q. Where does your passion for sports come from?

A. From when I was a kid and played. I was slim and very technical, so I went for futsal. We had a very good team and I played well, but I suffered a knee injury and became a director of my hometown club, Navarrete, and I was also a coach. When you're in that position, you see the needs the clubs have and you feel you have to help them.

Q. Presiding over the federation was the only thing left for you to do in Riojan football .

A. Well, yes, because I've been a player, coach, manager, and maybe I'll soon be a referee [laughs]. Once we started on this path, we didn't want to throw in the towel because it had been a long journey. We couldn't leave behind the work and the wasted time.

Q. What kind of footballer was Gustavo?

A. I was a midfielder and played on the left wing, with a very marked rhythm. I was very technical, and if I hadn't had the injury, I think I could have reached the Second Division in futsal . I say this because of some teammates I had who made careers. Between the injury and going to Valencia to study, I had to give up. When I was 22, I injured my knee at university and had to stop playing permanently.

Q. You run a surveying firm. Can you extrapolate anything from this to the management of a federation?

A. I've gone through several stages in the professional world: I've worked for a company and I've also been self-employed. I have an independent studio, and I think it's important to know how to manage a team. A project requires a lot of coordination and even the need to find financing. That organizational ability can be very useful in the Riojan Federation for maintaining a strong working group and financial control.

Q. What management model will you apply?

A. Well, I'm the antithesis of what's been done in the last 16 years. I'm a very communicative person, a team player, and I delegate to others. I want my team to have freedom in their field and to be responsible for their work. I take the word "responsibility" to the extreme.

Q. How will you and Raúl Ruiz complement each other?

R. Raúl has been a real discovery for me. We combined our candidacies, and everything we've achieved gives me tremendous strength. He's going to be an executive vice president, my right-hand man. We complement each other very well, because he brings significant experience in management, knowledge of the Spanish Federation , and communication, because he's a media personality. Our teams knew each other beforehand, but I didn't know him. The bond has grown stronger, and we're very comfortable.

Q. How important has he been in the elections?

A. A lot, because he's done a powerful job. He secured a significant number of assembly members, and the total was a winning combination between both candidates. Without him, we would have gone all the way and died on the shore. My assembly members and his asked us to unite because they wanted change. That word united us, and his contribution has been important.

Q. There have been three attempts. What motivated you to keep trying?

A. There have been several factors. One, if I may say so, is that I've discovered I have patience, which I don't usually have in my day-to-day life. I've been consistent, which I usually don't. There have been setbacks and anecdotes I don't want to remember, because we didn't take office until the 6th.

Q. Why is it so difficult to win an election in a national football federation?

A. First, because the person in power doesn't want to leave. We're clear that this is temporary and that others will come to succeed us. Second, because the electoral process is very arduous. You have to study it well and know it down to the last detail.

Q. Will there be a change in the electoral system during your term?

A. We've discussed it and we're going to work on it. Clearly, we need to turn it around and find a process that's ethical and right for everyone.

Q. Are you considering open lists?

A. Yes, yes, it's necessary. Absolutely. With closed lists, you're already forcing someone to run on your ticket.

Q. What is the impact of the prolonged electoral process?

A. In many ways, because the leagues are already organized. Clubs and players have their issues that we must resolve before the season starts. In addition, the annual accounts must be approved against the clock.

Q. The process was stopped because they claimed you could not be elected.

A. Look, I've been through some situations, but this one was totally outlandish and I didn't expect it. It was a way of pressuring me, but we appealed, and the law ruled in my favor. Nothing more.

Q. Why is Spanish football so polluted?

R. What a question, Rafa [silence]. I don't know what to tell you. I imagine it's about the money.

Q. What are the main changes you are going to make?

A. Mainly, we're going to change the club support service to make it more accessible. New technologies exist, and therefore, there are new ways to deliver information. In terms of training, we're going to offer online courses so that those who live in towns farther from Logroño don't have to travel. We're also going to motivate or incentivize local governments to improve their sports facilities. The change will be palpable in terms of methods and, with Raúl's help, it will be very positive.

Q. What do you mean?

A. In the social sphere. Our federation is small, but there are 14,000 members. We want to be with them, we will do social work, and we will always seek to surround ourselves with people.

Q. Will the Federation change its headquarters during your term?

A. I don't know if we'll make it in time. I've always been in favor of not spending money on a building that wasn't necessary. Previously, the Riojan Federation was located on a corner of the Las Gaunas stadium and, thanks to an agreement with the city council, paid one euro a day in rent. We need soccer fields and sports facilities.

Q. What do you propose then?

R. Be generous in that regard: make agreements for the use and maintenance of facilities, help the Logroño City Council with a renovation of the World Cup 82 facilities...

Q. Do you plan for the Federation to have its own facilities?

A. Yes, yes, we would like to, and it's a shame that's not the case. For now, these are concessions from the city council for a period of 20 or 25 years. But we have room for improvement in this regard, and I'm sure we will.

Q. Do you think it's feasible for Logroño to be a sub-host of the 2030 World Cup?

A. I'd like to work on it, given that the World Cup 82 facilities are going to be renovated, and we're confident it can be achieved. The goal is a great one, and with the collaboration of private entities, I believe we can achieve it.