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CORRUPTION

Spain pledges to fix ‘unacceptable’ state of football federation

The Spanish government pledged Tuesday to fix the country's scandal-struck football federation (RFEF) which they said is in an "unacceptable situation".

Spain pledges to fix 'unacceptable' state of football federation
Spanish RFEF football federation president Pedro Rocha arrives at the Majadahonda court to testify as a witness in front of a judge investigating allegedly irregular contracts linked to the former federation president, in Madrid on April 12, 2024. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)

President Luis Rubiales resigned in disgrace last September after his forcible kiss on the lips of Women’s World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso, and is now being investigated in a corruption probe.

The only candidate to replace Rubiales, Pedro Rocha, is also being investigated, while a report from the country’s leading sports court (TAD) said the RFEF had taken decisions “beyond its remit”.

“The High Council for Sports (CSD) and the government are going to do everything in their power to rectify this unacceptable situation,” said Jose Manuel Uribes, president of the CSD and Secretary of State for Sport.

According to Spanish media, the sports court found the RFEF management committee — which stepped in after Rubiales resigned — had taken actions it was not permitted to take, including renewing men’s team coach Luis de la Fuente’s contract.

“Following the resolution (of TAD), which describes the actions of the (RFEF) president and the Management Committee in recent months as very serious, I am going to call a meeting of the board of directors in the next few days to take a decision,” said Uribes.

The CSD could then declare Rocha — vice-president under Luis Rubiales and then the RFEF’s interim chief — ineligible to be president, although he is the only candidate for the elections on May 6th.

At the heart of the corruption investigation is the lucrative contract signed by Rubiales to relocate the Spanish Supercup to Saudi Arabia.

“It is in the interests of the government that the investigation gets to the bottom of things,” added Uribes.

However, he insisted the scandals would “not at all” impact Spain’s hosting of the 2030 World Cup.

“I am speaking with FIFA nearly every day, I think there’s never been such fluid communication,” he added.

“They are certain that Spain is a country that knows how to organise things … the World Cup is not in danger.”

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CORRUPTION

World Cup winner Del Bosque to watch over Spain’s scandal-hit federation

Former Spain coach Vicente del Bosque will lead the committee overseeing the country's trouble-ridden football federation, the Spanish government said Tuesday.

World Cup winner Del Bosque to watch over Spain's scandal-hit federation

The retired 73-year-old led La Roja to the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship titles, as well as taking Real Madrid to two Champions League triumphs.

“I’m proud to announce that the person presiding over the committee and representing it… is Vicente del Bosque,” said Pilar Alegría, the minister for Education and Sports.

“Del Bosque will be the face and representation of Spanish football.”

Last week Spain’s National Sports Council (CSD) created a committee to “oversee” the federation (RFEF) and try to pull it out of crisis.

Former president Luis Rubiales resigned in disgrace after forcibly kissing Women’s World Cup star Jenni Hermoso last year, while he and new president Pedro Rocha are under investigation in a graft probe.

“I believe that (Del Bosque) is the clearest representation of a good person of great human quality and, above all, an example of honesty and respect,” added Alegría.

The RFEF took decisions “beyond its remit” after Rubiales stepped down in December according to a report from the country’s leading sports court, resulting in the CSD creating the committee.

World and European football governing bodies FIFA and UEFA subsequently issued a statement expressing “great concern” at the situation around the RFEF.

“FIFA and UEFA will seek additional information to assess the extent to which the CSD’s appointment (of the committee) … may affect the RFEF’s obligation to manage its affairs independently and without undue government interference,” they said.

Spain is due to host the 2030 World Cup along with Portugal and Morocco.

The court report on the RFEF interim committee overstepping its bounds also raised the possibility the CSD may provisionally suspend Rocha, who was elected as Rubiales’ replacement on Friday, and other RFEF directors.

A CSD meeting Tuesday over potential punishments for these alleged infringements was put on hold after the sports court asked for more documentation, CSD sources told AFP.

The sources said the CSD plans to meet again in the coming days.

One decision allegedly beyond the remit of the RFEF was the renewal of current Spain coach Luis de la Fuente’s contract in February.

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