Spanish Government Forms Committee to Oversee Football Federation Amid Scandal and Corruption Allegations

The Spanish government has taken drastic action in response to the scandal surrounding the country’s football federation (RFEF), forming a special committee to oversee the organization until new elections can be held.

The former president of the RFEF, Luis Rubiales, has been at the center of controversy, facing not only allegations of corruption but also a pending trial for sexual assault after kissing Spain player Jenni Hermoso following last summer’s World Cup final.

The government’s intervention has been described as necessary to address the crisis within the organization and to protect the general interest of Spain, according to the country’s National Sports Council (CSD).

Fifa and Uefa, the world and European governing bodies of football, have expressed concern over the situation, as regulations dictate that member nations should manage their affairs independently and without interference from third parties.

The investigation into corruption during Rubiales’ tenure has already led to police raids at the RFEF headquarters in Madrid, resulting in the dismissal of several federation members. Pedro Rocha, who was serving as interim president, is also under investigation in connection with the corruption probe.

Despite the turmoil within the RFEF, Spain’s national teams have continued to achieve success on the field, with the women’s team winning the World Cup in 2023 and the men’s team preparing to co-host the tournament in 2030.

As the government steps in to oversee the RFEF and pave the way for new leadership, the future of Spanish football hangs in the balance, with the hope that transparency and accountability will be restored to the organization.