THE Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) called presidential elections after the disqualification of Pedro Rocha for two years, according to Radio Nacional. Rocha was sanctioned by the Administrative Court of Sports (TAD) for a very serious infraction, related to the dismissal of secretary general Andreu Camps in September 2023.
The RFEF Board of Directors, meeting this Friday, agreed to set up a management committee supervise the electoral process. This measure could favor Rochabecause it would buy him time to try to appeal the sanction and run for office. The move has drawn criticism because delays the entire electoral processwhich indirectly benefits the former leader, according to Eldiario.es.
Instead of calling full elections to the Assembly, the Federation opted for an intermediate process in which The current Assembly, heir to the Rubiales era, will elect the new presidentwho must then call general elections. The move, based on the RFEF’s statutes, was seen by some as a move to give Rocha more time to appeal and possibly run again.
The decision not to call full elections immediately contradicts a government decree approved in January, which sought to speed up the renewal of the Federation and open the door to external candidates. However, the RFEF has decided to follow a more conservative path, which extends the deadlines for renewing its directive.
The Steering Committee
The official who will oversee these elections will be chaired by Maria de los Angeles Garcia Chavesknown as Yeahwho will become the first woman to head the RFEF management committee. According to PublicYaye, a 37-year-old former Cáceres footballer, will take up his duties this Monday, marking an important step in the history of the Federation.
The decision to call the presidential elections first and not the Plenary Assembly has also generated tensions within the Federation. RFEF sources cited by Eldiario.es indicate that some regional presidents have preferred a more agile process that would avoid the addition of an intermediate presidency and accelerate the necessary changes in the institution. However, the option taken indirectly benefits Rocha, who was dismissed precisely for not calling elections and making decisions outside his capacities.
Pedro Rocha was disqualified in July after the TAD ruled that he had exceeded his duties as chairman of the management company that replaced Luis Rubiales. In addition to the disqualification, Rocha faces fines of €33,000 for irregularities in the Spanish Super Cup contract and for the dismissal of secretary general Andreu Camps.
With these elections, the 19 territorial presidents, who control the vote of the 140 members of the Assembly, will play a crucial role in the election of the new president of the RFEF. The Federation remains in a political vacuum, with candidates such as Pablo Lozano, president of the Andalusian Federation, seeking the support of the territorial barons to secure their position.
The RFEF is thus facing a complicated and lengthy electoral process that keeps the institution in a situation of uncertainty. The board of directors will assume responsibility for organizing this process on Monday, while the future of Rocha and the renewal of the Federation remain uncertain.
