Gianni Infantino stressed that footballers are the main actors when he took part in the Spanish Players’ Association (AFE) General Assembly during a visit to Madrid. He also met with the FIFPRO and AFE President David Aganzo. During his address to the General Assembly, the FIFA President praised the role of AFE, which was founded in 1978 to campaign for better working conditions in Spanish football, and said it led by example both in Europe and the rest of the world.

He also remembered that “footballers are the main actors” and that federations such as FIFA exist to serve them. The general assembly was preceded by a tribute to Angel María Villar Llona, the former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and former FIFA vice-president, who played a key role in the founding of the AFE. The former Spain coaches Vicente del Bosque and Javier Clemente and former Spain internationals Iker Casillas and Fernando Hierro were among the many illustrious figures from Spanish football who were at the event, which was also organised by AFE.