Spanish Football Federation Appoints Pedro Rocha as President

Pedro Rocha Appointed as President of Spanish Football Federation

In a surprising turn of events, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) has appointed Pedro Rocha as its new president. The 69-year-old had been serving as interim president since the resignation of his predecessor, Rubiales, in September.

Rocha’s appointment comes after the governing body’s electoral commission met on Friday morning and proclaimed him as the new head of the RFEF. This decision has been met with mixed reactions, as Rocha was placed under investigation in connection with a corruption probe into Rubiales.

Despite the ongoing investigation, Rocha maintains his innocence, stating that he has “no knowledge nor, therefore, any responsibility for the facts that are being investigated.” The decision on whether to suspend Rocha has been postponed until Tuesday, pending a ruling from the Administrative Court of Sport (TAD) in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Rubiales, who was arrested earlier this month, is facing legal troubles of his own. Prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year jail term for Rubiales for allegedly receiving illegal commissions during negotiations for the Spanish Super Cup competition in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, he is due to go on trial for sexual assault after kissing Spain forward Jenni Hermoso following last summer’s World Cup final.

Despite the off-field controversies, Spain’s football teams continue to excel on the pitch. The women’s team recently won the World Cup in 2023, while the men’s team is gearing up to co-host the World Cup in 2030. With Rocha now at the helm of the RFEF, Spanish football fans will be watching closely to see how he navigates the challenges facing the federation.