Spanish government take control of football federation until new elections

The Spanish government has announced the formation of a special committee to oversee the country's football federation (RFEF) until new elections are held.

This decision comes in response to the crisis within the organization and aims to protect Spain's general interests, according to the National Sports Council (CSD), the government agency responsible for sports.

The move follows a series of scandals, including a corruption investigation and an incident where former RFEF chief Luis Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso without her consent during an awards ceremony for Spain's women's World Cup success in Sydney.

The CSD stated, "The Spanish government has taken this decision to address the serious situation within the RFEF and allow the organization to begin a period of renewal. The Commission for Supervision, Normalization, and Representation will be led by independent individuals of recognized prestige."

Spain is aiming to move past these scandals as it prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup. Investigations into a multi-million euro corruption probe during Rubiales' tenure led to the dismissal of other RFEF executives after police raided its headquarters in Madrid last month.

Rocha, who was acting as RFEF stand-in president and hoped to be appointed permanently, was placed under investigation by a judge earlier this month after testifying in court. He was the sole candidate to succeed Rubiales.

Rocha stated on April 16 that he had no knowledge or responsibility for the investigated facts. An apartment owned by Rubiales was also raided as part of the corruption investigation.

FIFA banned Rubiales on October 30 for three years from all football-related activities following the unsolicited kiss.

The CSD has postponed a decision until Tuesday on whether to take action in relation to disciplinary proceedings opened against Rocha, which the Administrative Court of Sport (TAD) will rule on in the coming weeks.

Earlier this month, the RFEF stated that the TAD case was not related to the corruption probe but rather whether the federation overstepped its duties after Rubiales resigned.

Rocha's office announced earlier this month that the irregularities in the TAD's case would be challenged.