Government actions and statements on Rubiales and the Spanish Football Federation

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The government acted after confirming that Luis Rubiales had not resigned and would continue as president of the Spanish Football Federation. Víctor Francos, the Minister of State for Sport and Chairman of the Supreme Sports Council, held a press conference and said:

I am eager to speak with Luis Rubiales about what happened and what occurred in Sydney. As the CSD explained, extreme caution was required in the procedures to be followed in this case. The result was, from the first day, that there was no desire to take concrete action until the Federation held its extraordinary meeting. And precisely because of the celebrations and because the results did not align with the Government’s expectations, caution was paramount.

Sanches’s words

The statement continued, noting that Mr Rubiales did not meet the expectations of the players, the government, or Spanish society. There was disappointment in his response. The communications did not reflect the position he should have taken, and the actions of the assembly, instead of resolving the situation and calming the environment, further fueled the debate. On Tuesday, the president had been urged to do more, yet what followed seemed to worsen the situation rather than address the issue.

The Spanish Government has not remained indifferent to the events. Rubiales affirmed that he would not resign, but the government conveyed that its path with the RFEF presidency would end. The government is taking steps to require Rubiales to present a statement before the TAD, and if TAD accepts and the CSD can act, a removal from the presidency could be pursued. A formal complaint would be filed with TAD for a very serious offense, and if the matter is deemed appropriate in the coming days, the CSD could consider whether the offense warrants disqualification. The administration plans to proceed with a formal action, and TAD will receive its own complaint from MKK. The complaint was expected to be submitted in the afternoon, with an extraordinary meeting requested for the following Monday, signaling that any lead was valuable in the ongoing process. The goal remains to open the case and, if the authorities determine that a serious crime has occurred, to convene the Board of Directors with all documents. This has been framed as a potential turning point for Spanish sport and its governance.

The exchange captured the tension surrounding the scenario and the government’s commitment to accountability within the federation. The notion put forward was that a significant reckoning was necessary to restore confidence and lay the groundwork for reform within the governing body. The narrative underscored a belief that timely and decisive action could influence the broader climate around the federation and its leadership.

The remarks also touched on public sentiment and the expectations of citizens. Francos acknowledged that the situation had to be handled with care, and that while no action was taken immediately, there was a clear intent to address the issues through formal channels and proper procedures. The government framed the pursuit of clarity, accountability, and structural change as essential elements in restoring trust and ensuring that the federation operated in line with democratic expectations and the broader interests of sport in the country.

Rubiales reiterated his stance, insisting on his decision not to resign and describing the situation in stark terms. The government signaled a path toward pursuing transparency and due process, aiming to ensure that leadership within the federation would reflect the standards expected by players, fans, and citizens alike. The unfolding events were presented as a pivotal moment for governance, accountability, and the ethical framework that guides national sport structures.

In summarizing the state of affairs, officials conveyed a sense of urgency about bringing the matter to a formal disposition. The focus was on a lawful, orderly process that could withstand scrutiny and contribute to a stable resolution. The broader aim was to safeguard the integrity of the federation and to demonstrate that top leadership remained answerable to the rules, the community, and the public at large, even when that accountability required difficult steps and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about governance in sport.

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