Spain vows to fix unacceptable state of soccer federation

BARCELONA: The Spanish government pledged on Tuesday to fix the country’s scandal-struck football federation (RFEF) which they said is in an “unacceptable situation”.

President Luis Rubiales resigned in disgrace last September ater his forcible kiss on the lips of Women’s World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso, and is now being investigated in a corruption probe.

The only candidate to replace Rubiales, Pedro Rocha, is also being investigated, while a report from the country’s leading sports court (TAD) said the RFEF had taken decisions “beyond its remit”.

“The High Council for Sports (CSD) and the government are going to do everything in their power to rectify this unacceptable situation,” said Jose Manuel Uribes, president of the CSD and Secretary of State for Sport.

According to Spanish media, the sports court found the RFEF management commitee -- which stepped in ater Rubiales resigned -- had taken actions it was not permited to take, including renewing men’s team coach Luis de la Fuente’s contract.

“Following the resolution (of TAD), which describes the actions of the (RFEF) president and the Management Commitee in recent months as very serious, I am going to call a meeting of the board of directors in the next few days to take a decision,” said Uribes.

The CSD could then declare Rocha -- vicepresident under Luis Rubiales and then the RFEF’S interim chief -- ineligible to be president, although he is the only candidate for the elections on May 6.

At the heart of the corruption investigation is the lucrative contract signed by Rubiales to relocate the Spanish Supercup to Saudi Arabia.

“It is in the interests of the government that the investigation gets to the botom of things,” added Uribes.