Maria Tato (foto: Twitter)
Maria Tato resigns from Spain’s 2030 World Cup committee after allegations she altered venue selection criteria, stripping Vigo of its host city status.
Maria Tato, president of the tournament’s organizing committee and a close associate of former federation president Luis Rubiales, has resigned following allegations that she manipulated the selection process for host cities.
According to El Mundo, audio recordings reveal that Tato and her team retroactively altered the criteria used to select stadiums for the tournament. As a result, the Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastián was added to the list of host venues, while Balaídos in Vigo — home of RC Celta — was removed, despite initially being approved.
This sudden change has sparked outrage in Vigo, where local officials are demanding answers. Mayor Abel Caballero called the decision "very serious" and insisted on transparency: “We demand to know who made the changes, why they were made, and based on which criteria.”
Balaídos had already been confirmed as one of the selected venues before it was unexpectedly dropped. The revelation has further tarnished the reputation of the Spanish FA, which has been plagued by controversies in recent years — most notably under Rubiales' presidency, marked by multiple corruption allegations and internal power struggles.
Maria Tato, a former executive at Athletic Club Bilbao and a lawyer by profession, was appointed by Rubiales to lead the World Cup committee. Her resignation follows the recent departure of sports director Albert Luque, as scrutiny intensifies over decisions made during the Rubiales era.
With the 2030 World Cup project now under public pressure, the RFEF faces renewed calls for reform and transparency as it tries to move forward from another blow to its credibility.