Spanish Football Federation Appoints Pedro Rocha as President Amid Corruption Investigation

The Spanish football federation (RFEF) has been embroiled in controversy once again as Pedro Rocha has been appointed as president amidst an ongoing corruption case involving former president Luis Rubiales.

Rocha, who had been serving as interim president since Rubiales resigned in September following criticism for kissing Spain forward Jenni Hermoso, now finds himself at the center of a scandal. The 69-year-old is currently under investigation as part of the corruption probe into Rubiales, with the Spanish government forming a special committee to oversee the RFEF until new elections can be held.

Despite the government’s intervention, the RFEF went ahead and appointed Rocha as president after the governing body’s electoral commission met on Friday morning. The federation stated, “Pedro Rocha has today been proclaimed the new president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), after having received the support of the majority of the assembly members of this institution that governs Spanish football.”

Rocha, who maintains his innocence in the corruption case, will have to face disciplinary proceedings and a potential suspension as the Administrative Court of Sport (TAD) prepares to rule on the matter in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Rubiales, who is facing legal troubles of his own, denies any wrongdoing and is set to go on trial for alleged illegal commissions and sexual assault.

Despite the turmoil within the federation, Spain’s national teams continue to excel on the field, with the women’s team winning the World Cup in 2023 and the men’s team gearing up to co-host the World Cup in 2030. As the off-field drama unfolds, Spanish football fans are left wondering what the future holds for their beloved sport.