La Liga clubs and the Spanish national team could face bans from FIFA and UEFA competitions after the government intervened to oversee the operation of the country's football federation.
Background: Rubiales Scandal Rocks RFEF The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has faced significant controversy since last summer, following an incident where former president Luis Rubiales forcibly kissed Jenni Hermoso without her consent during celebrations after the Women’s World Cup final. Despite his protests of innocence, Rubiales was suspended from all football activities by FIFA for three years and ultimately resigned from his position. Prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year jail sentence for Rubiales, who is also accused of coercion against Hermoso, along with other RFEF officials such as Jorge Vilda, Albert Luque, and Ruben Rivera, who all deny the charges.
Corruption Investigation Unfolds The controversy surrounding Rubiales did not end with his suspension and resignation. Earlier this year, a public investigation into alleged corruption at RFEF under Rubiales' leadership led to police raids and multiple arrests, with allegations of corruption, improper management, and money laundering. Rubiales, initially detained after his return from the Dominican Republic, was released and called to testify in court as a witness in the ongoing probe.
Pedro Rocha Appointed as New RFEF President Pedro Rocha, who served as interim president after Rubiales' departure, was officially named the new RFEF president last Friday. However, Rocha's appointment was not without controversy, as he faced legal challenges for failing to follow the proper process for calling elections, receiving the president's salary, and ceasing legal challenges related to the La Liga and CVC deal.
Government Intervention Through a Supervision Commission One of Rocha's first actions as the new president was to accept a Supervision, Normalisation, and Representation Commission set up by the Spanish government's Department of Education, Professional Training, and Sports. This commission, led by Spanish football legend Vicente Del Bosque, was tasked with overseeing the transparency and proper governance of RFEF. Pilar Alegria, spokesperson for the ministry, outlined the commission's objectives: represent Spanish football, ensure a transparent electoral process after the Olympic Games, and guide Spanish football through upcoming events like the European Championship, Olympic Games, and the 2030 World Cup.
RFEF's Continued Independence Amid Supervision Despite the commission's oversight, RFEF is expected to maintain its independence, with the commission's involvement intended to ensure accountability and a smooth transition during a challenging time for Spanish football.
FIFA and UEFA's Concerns Over Political Interference FIFA has strict regulations requiring its member associations to adhere to "principles of good governance" and operate independently without political interference. The recent appointment of a government-led commission to oversee Spain's Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has raised concerns with both FIFA and UEFA. The two organizations have reached out to Jose Manuel Rodriguez Uribes, the president of Spain's Supreme Council for Sports, seeking clarification on this new oversight committee's role.
A letter shared by AS detailed FIFA and UEFA's concerns. The letter stated that, based on current information, they were worried that the establishment of this commission could undermine the RFEF's independence. FIFA and UEFA's questions about the commission included:
FIFA and UEFA have given a deadline of Friday, May 3, for the Spanish government to provide the requested information. If the explanation does not satisfy FIFA's requirements, Spain risks suspension from FIFA, potentially affecting its participation in Euro 2024, the summer Olympics, and future events like the 2030 World Cup, which Spain is set to co-host with several other countries. Additionally, Spanish clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and other La Liga teams would be excluded from UEFA competitions such as the Champions League.
Potential Repercussions for Spain and Spanish Clubs Should FIFA suspend Spain, the country would be barred from all FIFA and UEFA competitions, with significant ramifications for Spanish football. It would not only impact the national teams' participation in upcoming tournaments but also prevent Spanish clubs from competing in international events. The repercussions could extend to Spain's hosting of the 2030 World Cup, a significant blow considering the country's plans to co-host with Portugal, Morocco, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Currently, Russia is the only country under FIFA suspension, due to its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. If Spain were to join this list, it would underscore the importance of maintaining independence and avoiding political interference in football governance.
