The Spanish government has established a special committee to supervise the country’s football federation (RFEF).
The committee will operate until the governing body conducts new elections in the wake of the controversy involving its former president, Luis Rubiales.
Rubiales was arrested earlier this month amid a corruption probe. Separately, he faces trial for sexual assault, stemming from an incident where he kissed Spanish player Jenni Hermoso after the World Cup final last summer.
Hermoso has stated that the kiss “was not consensual,” although Rubiales has consistently denied any wrongdoing up until his resignation in September.
The government’s involvement has come “in response to the crisis in the organisation and in defence of the general interest of Spain,” said the country’s National Sports Council (CSD).
“The Spanish government has taken this decision in order to correct the serious situation that the RFEF is going through and to allow the organisation to begin a period of regeneration,” it added.
The council is the government agency that is responsible for sport in Spain and its statement added that the committee would be led by “independent persons of recognised prestige.”
FIFA, the global governing body for football, and UEFA, its European counterpart, have expressed significant concern as they closely monitor the situation.
According to FIFA regulations, member nations are required to manage their affairs independently and free from interference by third parties.
“Fifa and Uefa will seek additional information to assess the extent to which the CSD’s appointment of the so-called ‘Supervision, Normalisation and Representation Commission’ may affect the RFEF’s obligation to manage its affairs independently and without undue government interference,” they said in a joint statement.
Investigations into corruption during Rubiales’ administration prompted a police raid on the RFEF headquarters in Madrid last month, leading to the dismissal of several federation members.
Pedro Rocha, who had been acting as president, came under investigation following his testimony as a witness in the corruption case. Rocha, the sole candidate to permanently succeed Rubiales as president, stated he had “no knowledge nor, therefore, any responsibility for the facts that are being investigated.”
Spain triumphed in the 2023 Women’s World Cup, defeating England in the final, and is set to co-host the Men’s World Cup in 2030.