Withdrawal of testimony against Hermoso
The action started to unfold after the federation moved to address the situation following the disqualification of Luis Rubiales by FIFA, which barred him from serving as president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation. Pedro Rocha, the interim head from Extremadura who had the backing of the federation’s broad consensus, called an extraordinary and urgent meeting with regional presidents to analyze what had happened and determine the next steps.
Who is Pedro Rocha?
Rocha, serving as interim president of the RFEF, has led Extremadura football for ten years. His measured and collaborative approach has earned him broad support among regional leaders who expect him to steer the federation through this turbulent period. Rocha was the only vice president who did not resign during Rubiales’s crisis, and insiders describe him as someone who prioritizes the institution’s interests above all else. Speaking to close associates, Rocha has emphasized defending the federation’s integrity as a core goal.
The instrumentalization of Rubiales
Recent communications from FIFA indicate that Rubiales has suspended all football activities within a ninety-day window. Despite the ruling that diminished his formal authority, the federation’s leadership continued to issue statements in his favor, even though Rubiales could not publicly exercise power. Regional managers have felt the impact of the dispute more directly, and many expected Rubiales to resign after the meeting. Instead, the gathering appeared to serve as a forum for reaffirming his position and asserting his identity within the federation rather than pursuing a resignation.
Among the key players in this clash are the federation’s regional executives, who have watched the developments closely and attended the meeting with the belief that decisive action would be taken by Rubiales. The outcome did not align with that expectation, leaving the group to reassess their strategy and continue to press for clarity and accountability within the federation’s leadership.