OTD E0065 — 04 Jan 1909: Spain Builds a Federation — and a Football Nation Is Born

04 Jan 1909: Spanish football takes a decisive step toward national governance, in a meeting often cited as the start of the federation project linked to Madrid FC’s Adolfo Meléndez. From rival factions and the 1913 unification into the RFEF (with FIFA pressure in the background), we fast-forward through Spain’s 1920 Olympic debut and silver, professionalism and La Liga, dictatorship and modernity — to the era of Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, Euro 2012, and Spain’s recent men’s and women’s silverware. Tips/corrections: [email protected]