Luis Rubiales continues to collect criticism and must strengthen his position as president of the Federation. Yesterday was a day of misfortunes for him. First the statements of the government president Pedro Sánchez, later the criticism of the opposition and Sumar’s complaint. The answer was to urgently convene his people on the third floor of the Ciudad Deportiva del Fútbol building to devise a strategy for what he considers a government tradition.
That meeting on Friday confirmed the celebration of an extraordinary gathering that will serve to protect the leader from “media harassment” following the president’s kiss to soccer player Jenni Hermoso. In the General Assembly, those present will confirm their confidence in Rubiales, who has not thought about resigning. It should be remembered that a resignation would lead to the departure of other positions of responsibility in institutions such as UEFA, where he is Vice-President of the Executive Committee.
Parallel to the announcement of the meeting, the Federation reported that internal procedures related to integrity issues are ongoing. This decision implies the activation of the Advisory Committee against Sexual Abuse of the RFEF, which forces the CSDF to wait for a solution before acting. This allows Rubiales to buy time and hold an Assembly from which he wants to come out stronger.
The difficulties of Rubiales
The government cannot fire or resign the president of the Federation because it is the members of the Assembly who elect him, but it does have mechanisms to disable him for a while. To this end, the Higher Sports Council, chaired by Víctor Francos, must submit some of the three complaints submitted to the Sports Administrative Court: that of Miguel Galán, director of the CENAFE training center for coaches, that of former referee Estrada Fernández or that of the Sumar- side.
A key testimonial
After the disciplinary file has been submitted to the TAD, an investigating judge draws up a report. Then Rubiales could be disqualified until the TAD makes a final ruling on the complaints.
Francos has confirmed that he has formally asked the Federation to open urgent proceedings. If they don’t, the CSD will step in, prioritizing Jenni Hermoso’s testimony. Your statement is crucial and the decision to submit the file to the TAD will depend on whether the situation is classified as serious or very serious.
Source: Goal