LaLiga clubs making major strides in transparency

The transparency levels at LaLiga clubs are improving substantially, as evidenced by the second edition of the Football Clubs Transparency Index (INFUT 2016), a report and ranking drawn up independently by the organisation Transparency International Spain. The index breaks down the transparency of LaLiga's 41 professional member clubs in relation to a set of 60 indicators covering five different areas.

Across LaLiga, the clubs' transparency scores are on average almost 20 points better than in the first edition of the index, with the mean score now standing at 62.8 out of 100. The average score in LaLiga Santander has risen from 49.7 to 71.8, while there has been an increase from 39.0 to 54.4 in LaLiga 1|2|3.

Over 70% of the clubs scored above 50. CD Numancia and Real Betis lead the way with full marks (100 out of 100), while SD Eibar, CD Lugo, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and CD Leganes are among the other names to have recorded impressive scores. The overriding trend of major improvement is perfectly exemplified by Betis, who had finished bottom of the pile in the previous index.

"These latest figures illustrate the efforts undertaken by our professional clubs to improve their transparency levels and make more information available to fans and society at large. This represents good progress. We're going to carry on working to ensure that all clubs improve their transparency levels. LaLiga and its clubs fully intend to keep submitting ourselves to these checks, which should also apply to all sporting institutions," LaLiga president Javier Tebas said following the report's release.

For his part, Jesus Lizcano, the president of Transparency International Spain, paid tribute to the attitude shown by LaLiga and its clubs: "Thanks are due to LaLiga for the very active role it has played and to the clubs for their cooperation, without which the report could not have been produced. The clubs have rolled up their sleeves and improved significantly compared to the previous edition of the index." Meanwhile, Jesus Sanchez Lambas, a Transparency International Spain board member, remarked that, "Football clubs have embraced transparency standards more quickly than public institutions. They are under more social pressure and are much more agile."

Professional football is the first private sector to actively and voluntarily collaborate with Transparency International Spain on an index of this ilk. LaLiga and its members are completely committed to working hand in hand with this body and to redoubling their efforts to boost transparency. Indeed, as noted by president Tebas, LaLiga is ready to partner with Transparency International to help improve transparency at other sporting organisations and institutions. 

The positive results in the INFUT 2016 index serve to further vindicate the determined drive to introduce a culture of compliance, transparency and good governance in Spanish football. LaLiga and its clubs continue to work diligently towards delivering not just the best competition in the world, but also the most transparent and best managed, as well as being a standard-bearer when it comes to integrity.