The Friday afternoon gathering in Las Rozas, known as Football City, was marked by an unusual mood. A sudden call from Luis Rubiales set the tone, painting a scene of tension and division. An authoritative voice from a member of parliament described a climate of betrayal surrounding the president as he announced his decision not to attend. The federation countered with a claim of brutal media and political pressure, while Rubiales activated an internal protocol within the Federation’s Integrity department to delay action by the Supreme Sports Council until a formal report could be delivered. The control of timing and narrative seemed to stay with Rubiales and his closest allies, who cheered what they saw as steadfast loyalty.
Political, sporting, and social pressures soon intensified the situation. Rubiales had promised a calm, unifying meeting and spoke of unanimous support for his leadership, citing past triumphs such as the women’s team lifting the World Cup and the men’s team securing the Nations League title. Yet the kiss incident involving Jenni Hermoso created an uproar that made it impossible to proceed with the planned gathering. The moment shifted from a strategic demonstration of strength to a test of endurance, leaving Rubiales facing a potential exit that could be as swift as it was spectacular.
not 70 votes
Rubiales needed a majority in a body of 140 votes. Only five of the members were women, four players and one referee. Twenty ex officio members represented first and second division clubs. The critical twenty clubs named—Athletic, Barça, Betis, Getafe, Mallorca, Osasuna, Real Sociedad, Villarreal, Cádiz, Rayo Vallecano, Alavés, Las Palmas, Elche, Sporting, Leganés, Éibar, Lugo, Tenerife, Ponferradina, Zaragoza—were expected to respond with nonattendance, a heavy blow to Rubiales and a potential shift in perceived support from major powers within the federation.
Chronicles of the afternoon show Rubiales surrendering under mounting pressure. The scene on the third floor of Ciudad del Fútbol reflected a drumbeat of calls, as councilors from invited clubs, players, coaches, and referees were contacted repeatedly. The hours wore on, and the effort to convene the meeting intensified, with Rubiales’ team working around the clock to muster support and calm the nerves of a federation poised to fracture.
nor the fidelity of arbitration
Inside the central circle of the federation, the referee has historically stood firmly beside the president. Yet for the first time, voices of dissent emerged within this core group, describing the current situation as a historical misjudgment for supporting the president under these circumstances. That dissent undermined Rubiales’ aim to turn the event into a lifeline, a moment of redemption. As announced, the Friday confrontation could become a stage for his defeat, while the federation’s oversight bodies hint at possible recourse to higher authorities like the Tribunal Administrativo del Deporte for responses that Rubiales would need to answer. The unfolding dynamics suggested a crisis that extended beyond one meeting, reaching into governance and accountability.
Throughout the day, the atmosphere at Ciudad del Fútbol resembled a pressure cooker, with arguments about legitimacy, governance, and the federation’s direction colliding with public anger and international scrutiny. The complexities of leadership in a federation that sits at the intersection of sport, politics, and national identity were laid bare. In the background, discussions about reforms, potential investigations, and the impact on players and fans kept ricocheting through offices, media rooms, and boardrooms alike. This was more than a single vote; it was a test of the federation’s resilience and its leadership’s ability to navigate a crisis that touched every corner of the sport in Spain.