RFEF temporary president charged with corruption

The Spanish Football Federation (Real Federación Española de Fútbol-RFEF) was thrown into further chaos on Friday when Pedro Rocha, the organization's temporary president and the only candidate to replace the disgraced Luis Rubiales in the role, was charged with corruption by a judge in Madrid, reported Xinhua.

Former RFEF vice-president Rocha replaced Rubiales after the latter was forced to resign due to the scandal that resulted from his unsolicited kiss on forward Jenni Hermoso, after Spain won the FIFA Women's World Cup final in Australia last August.

Last month saw police carry out raids searches on the RFEF head offices on the outskirts of Madrid and at other properties. They were searching for evidence of corruption related to the contracts which saw the RFEF take the Spanish Supercup to Saudi Arabia in 2020, as well as agree to play the Copa del Rey final and international matches at the Estadio de la Cartuja in Seville.

The police made seven arrests in 'Operation Brody' during their searches, and Rubiales was also charged with corruption and money laundering last week after flying back from the Dominican Republic.

Rocha had avoided being implicated in 'Operation Brody' and was in line to replace Rubiales on a permanent basis before the end of the month, as he was the only official candidate in the forthcoming elections for a new RFEF president.

The charges against him mean this is unlikely to happen with Spain's Superior Sports Committee likely to demand him not allowed to stand as a candidate, leaving the future of the RFEF up in the air.