Pedro Rocha Appointed President of Spanish Football Federation Amid Controversy

Overview of Appointment

Pedro Rocha was appointed as the new president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Friday, as announced in a press release by the RFEF. He was the sole candidate in the election initially scheduled for May 6, which would have taken place if multiple candidates had emerged.

Background of Controversy

The appointment follows a tumultuous period for the RFEF, which has been under the spotlight due to a corruption case involving Rocha and the former president, Luis Rubiales. The scandal escalated with Rubiales' forced kiss incident with Jenni Hermoso, leading to his resignation. The federation is also under investigation for contractual irregularities during Rubiales' tenure, including a controversial deal to move the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia.

Government Intervention and Oversight

In response to the ongoing crisis, the Spanish government, through the Superior Sports Council (CSD), has placed the RFEF under supervision. This move aims to stabilize the federation ahead of Spain's co-hosting of the 2030 World Cup with Portugal and Morocco. A special commission has been established to oversee the RFEF's operations in the coming months.

Legal and Administrative Developments

Despite the controversies, the president of the Higher Sports Council, José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, has decided against the provisional suspension of Rocha and the federation's management committee. This decision was influenced by legal advice suggesting that suspending Rocha could create a leadership vacuum within the federation. The CSD board will reconvene on April 30 to further assess the situation and consider additional actions related to the disciplinary proceedings against Rocha and the committee.

Future Steps and Challenges

Rocha, now officially president, faces the challenge of leading the federation through this turbulent period. His appointment has already sparked plans for an appeal by Miguel Galán, president of Cenafe, against the electoral commission's decision regarding the current assembly's composition. Additionally, a normalization committee has been formed to ensure proper governance and oversight of the federation, particularly focusing on Spain's representation in upcoming major sporting events like the Euro Cup and the Olympic Games.