To the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, critics pointed to a breach of protocol as they filed a formal complaint before the Supreme Sports Council. Marta Lois, a spokesperson for the Sumar party, shared on social media that she is demanding Rubiales’ dismissal and the enforcement of the sexual violence protocol. Yolanda Díaz, the Second Vice-President of the Government and Minister of Labor and Social Economy, spoke on behalf of Sumar, condemning the events that occurred before the Supreme Sports Council as a grave violation.
Sports federations operate under the Sports Code, and Díaz emphasized that the Council for Sports must ensure that misconduct is punished and not ignored. The information circulating on social networks by Díaz was drawn from elDiario.es, and the complaint from Sumar and Rubiales is said to be grounded in sports law rather than a purely political dispute. The issue touches on Rubiales’ public duties as a federation leader and his role within the Spanish government’s delegated authority.
Sumar condemned the incident, calling for Rubiales’ dismissal and the swift application of the sexual violence protocol. The communication cited that Rubiales could face a suspension ranging from one month to two years if the norm is found to have been seriously violated.
A letter signed by Marta Lois, Sumar’s parliamentary spokesperson, and David Moscoso, the party’s sports coordinator, was sent to Víctor Francos, head of the Supreme Sports Council. It underscored that the CSD holds authority over the economic and administrative oversight, as well as the disciplinary power over state-level sports organizations.
The correspondence described the incident as an act publicly condemned by political authorities and widely covered by national and international media. It occurred during a medal ceremony on a stage where players received recognition, witnessed by journalists and spectators.
Beyond criminal consequences, the letter asserted that sports law requires federations and leagues to have clear protocols for action and prevention of harassment, abuse, and discrimination. It argued that Rubiales, as president of the RFEF, is bound by sports law because of his delegated powers and his responsibility to the Spanish government in the exercise of public duties.
The text also referenced Article 50, which states that the CSD must exercise disciplinary authority under the standards established by the norm. In other words, Rubiales, by performing public duties through delegation, is also a public representative of the country and accountable to the government for his conduct in office. For these reasons, Sumar argued that a serious violation had occurred and a sanction, including dismissal from duties within the sports institution for a period of one month to two years, could be imposed under the applicable sport laws.
The overarching message from Sumar is that governing bodies in sport must enforce discipline and protect the integrity of competitions, ensuring that leadership within federations adheres to established rules and ethical standards. This stance reflects a broader commitment to safeguarding athletes and staff, along with maintaining public confidence in national sports governance. The situation highlights the ongoing tension between sports administration and political oversight in Spain, with the government and its allied parties seeking accountability at the highest levels of the federation while upholding the rules that govern sports conduct and public duty.
Source attributions follow journalistic reporting and official communications from the parties involved, including coverage and statements reported by elDiario.es and statements from Sumar’s parliamentary office. These attributions are provided to contextualize the legal and procedural framework guiding the response from the sports authorities and political stakeholders. The objective remains to ensure that governance in Spanish sport aligns with the law and with the expectations of fair play, athlete protection, and transparent accountability across federations and leagues.