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CORRUPTION

Spain pledges to fix ‘unacceptable’ state of football federation

The Spanish government pledged Tuesday to fix the country's scandal-struck football federation (RFEF) which they said is in an "unacceptable situation".

Spain pledges to fix 'unacceptable' state of football federation
Spanish RFEF football federation president Pedro Rocha arrives at the Majadahonda court to testify as a witness in front of a judge investigating allegedly irregular contracts linked to the former federation president, in Madrid on April 12, 2024. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)

President Luis Rubiales resigned in disgrace last September after 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 committee — which stepped in after Rubiales resigned — had taken actions it was not permitted 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 Committee 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 — vice-president 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 6th.

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 bottom of things,” added Uribes.

However, he insisted the scandals would “not at all” impact Spain’s hosting of the 2030 World Cup.

“I am speaking with FIFA nearly every day, I think there’s never been such fluid communication,” he added.

“They are certain that Spain is a country that knows how to organise things … the World Cup is not in danger.”

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RACISM

Atlético Madrid win appeal over racist abuse sanction

The Spanish Football Federation on Thursday accepted Atlético Madrid's appeal against a partial stadium ban after racial abuse directed at Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams.

Atlético Madrid win appeal over racist abuse sanction

Atlético were initially ordered to partially close their stadium for two La Liga matches following monkey chants heard by Spain international Williams at Atlético’s Metropolitano stadium last month.

The federation pointed to Atlético’s “active cooperation” in their decision to lift the stadium ban and a €20,000 ($21,350) fine.

Williams heard the abuse when he went to take a corner. He subsequently scored, pointing to his arm in reference to his skin colour, in his side’s 3-1 defeat on April 28th.

“There weren’t many of them. There are stupid people everywhere… I hope this changes bit by bit” he said after the match.

Atlético identified the person responsible for the abuse from cameras in the stadium. He was handed over to the police when the game ended, and banned from the club.

The federation praised Atlético’s swift action in what they accepted was “an isolated incident”.

Spanish football has suffered a spate of racist incidents in recent years, many of which have been aimed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior.

The Brazil international earned global support after facing off with a fan who was abusing him last year at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium, which also faced subsequent partial closure.

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