Fundamental changes at the RFEF and the Rocha transition
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced on Friday that Pedro Rocha will oversee a transition process within the organization. This follows two prior discussions: one with the presidents of the regional federations and another with the federation’s board of directors, described as the board of directors or management committee. Rocha, identified as the chair of the management company, will stay at the helm of the institution he currently leads. He will remain in charge even as Luis Rubiales steps aside, stating that he will be away “Until the next elections” though no specific date was given. Regional presidents have signaled that these conversations should continue in the first half of 2024. An initial meeting has already occurred, but a formal preliminary request to the Supreme Sports Council is required for further sessions, and officials at the Council have shown a favorable stance toward this option.
“Fundamental changes” in the RFEF
Rocha, head of the management company, has pledged to implement what he calls “fundamental changes” to the RFEF as quickly and as gradually as possible. He has urged engagement with international stakeholders, the media, and society at large to better understand the situation, and he has issued a call for ongoing dialogue and cooperation.
Now the question is whether Spain’s top players will respond to Rocha’s appeal for a ceasefire. A total of 39 players have publicly announced that they will not return to the national team for the moment, which places pressure on the RFEF to delay the coach’s first call under Montse Tomé. The upcoming selection is planned to take place on Friday at 16:00 local time, with Montse Tomé expected to take the reins as the new coach.
A narrow margin and lingering concerns
While players publicly continued with their strategy, observers warned that the changes within the federation may not be enough to assure players a sense of safety and stability. The so‑called status quo surrounding the RFEF reinforces the players’ belief that the federation’s leadership may remain in flux, supporting Pedro Rocha’s interim presidency for now.
Extremaduran Rocha, whom Luis Rubiales had designated as his provisional successor until his situation could be resolved, received support from 15 of 19 regional presidents to continue in the interim role until elections in 2024. Four members voted against, and Rocha is expected to lead the federation through the election period, which the Supreme Sports Council has proposed to schedule in the first half of next year.
The Valencian candidate Salva Gomar, who sought to head the federation for the next four years, did not secure backing as the elections approached in the first half of the coming year. Rocha has cautioned presidents that his intention is not to serve solely as an interim president and that he plans to reassess leadership before the elections. This stance helped sway some presidents who were wary of Gomar, who gained some attention for his close ties to Rubiales following the sexual kissing scandal with Jenni Hermoso.
Rocha’s persistence has prompted some presidents to demand the removal of figures linked to Rubiales, including the RFEF secretary Andreu Camps and the arbitration group director Luis Medina Cantalejo. The interim president outlined recommendations to the board of directors, which convened after confirming Extremaduran leadership at the federation.
The situation at Las Rozas appears steady on the surface, but the public statement issued this afternoon contains commitments for reforms that have not yet been enacted and will require close evaluation in the days ahead. In the meantime, various stakeholders are positioning themselves to be in the frame for what is expected from the 2024 elections, which the Council desires to conduct as swiftly as possible. Some observers consider late January a reasonable target date for those elections.
Notes: The ongoing process reflects a broader effort to stabilize governance at the federation while addressing player concerns and preparing for a new leadership cycle. Marked attributions follow where the federation’s statements are summarized, indicating the official stance and subsequent reactions within the country’s football community.