- Spanish Football Federation Urges UEFA to Suspend It from International Competitions
- Criticism Mounts Against RFEF President Luis Rubiales After Women’s World Cup Incident
- Power Play: RFEF’s Request for Suspension Seen as Bid to Save Rubiales’ Position
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has urged Uefa to suspend it from international competitions due to interference from the government regarding demands to remove its embattled president, Luis Rubiales.
The unexpected action was widely interpreted as an attempt to muzzle Rubiales’ critics, including government ministers who have demanded his removal. Such a suspension would prevent Spanish teams from participating in competitions such as the Champions League and could influence public opinion in favor of allowing Rubiales, who is also a vice-president of Uefa, to remain in his position.
The governing authorities of football have long-standing regulations prohibiting national governments from interfering with the management of domestic federations. Uefa will not comply with the RFEF’s request for a sanction, a source with knowledge of the matter told The Associated Press on Monday.
Rubiales has received a deluge of criticism from around the world for his behavior at the Women’s World Cup final, which included kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the on-field trophy ceremony without her permission.
Fifa, the governing body of global football, suspended him from office on Saturday and launched an investigation into his conduct.
The unprecedented request for a suspension by the Spanish federation appears to be a power play against its critics. The RFEF may have intended to incite supporters, powerful clubs such as Barcelona and Real Madrid, and the men’s national team to support its efforts to save Rubiales’ position.
Uefa will conduct the Champions League group-stage draw for Spain’s best clubs on Thursday, and the men’s national team will play Euro 2024 qualifying games on September 8 and 12.
As the Women’s World Cup administrators, Fifa opened a disciplinary investigation against Rubiales on Thursday. The governing body did not invoke its version of the rules against government interference to safeguard Rubiales, prompting the RFEF to send a letter urging Uefa to act on Friday.
The Fifa suspension prohibits Rubiales from participating in official business and communicating with other officials, including in Spain’s bid to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Portugal, Morocco, and potentially Ukraine.
Jorge Palacio, the Fifa disciplinary judge, also ordered Rubiales and the federation to refrain from contacting Hermoso, who claimed the federation pressured her to publicly support Rubiales. On Monday, the RFEF will hold another emergency meeting under the interim leadership of Pedro Rocha.
