Luis Rubiales, president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), has not resigned. His kiss remains a point of controversy after the Women’s World Cup triumph in Sydney last Sunday. He is not planning to step down yet, and Jenni Hermoso faces growing political and social pressure to see his resignation immediately, while she contemplates her next steps.
The leader’s first move after the Deputy Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez voiced his position was to convene an urgent emergency meeting at the Las Rozas sports complex at 12:00 on Friday the 25th to discuss the federation’s future. Rubiales urged the leadership of Villar, who has led the federation for 29 years, to resist the pressure while he seeks the counsel and backing that the Assembly can provide. Sánchez called the gesture unacceptable and criticized the apologies as inadequate and inappropriate. The aim is to secure the Assembly’s support and legitimacy.
This is how the Federation Assembly, where Rubiales’ future will be decided, is formed
140-member council
Rubiales relies on representatives from the upper reaches of government and the federation. The council consists of 140 members, including 20 ex officio members and 120 elected representatives. Among them are the president of the RFEF, the presidents of the 19 regional federations within Spain, and elected members from clubs, players, referees, and coaches.
They will be the first to hear Rubiales’ defense in an urgent extraordinary session, following apologies that were recorded during the break in the plane carrying the world champions in Doha. A video surfaced featuring the leader, despite attempts to have Hermoso appear. Even coach Jorge Vilda reportedly declined to attend, though he shared a message of shared concern with the leader while mediating with his family.
In the middle of the backlash over unacceptable behavior toward Hermoso and the surrounding tensions, Rubiales remains silent. He maps a defense strategy aimed at garnering support from the Assembly, whose 120 elected members are chosen every four years.
Twelve major league teams and 29 non-professional players
For example, the council includes representation from 12 top-tier clubs, including Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona, Betis, Getafe, Mallorca, Osasuna, Real Sociedad, Villarreal, Cádiz, Rayo Vallecano, Alavés, and Las Palmas. Also represented are the relegated Lugo and Ponferradina, along with Elche, relegated to second division, and five other teams (Leganés, Eibar, Sporting, Tenerife, Zaragoza) that are active. There are 29 non-professional clubs across Spain, 13 professional First Division players and 18 non-professional players, four referees from the First and Second divisions, and seven provincial referees. The list also includes six coaches from the top two tiers of Spanish football and 10 non-professionals representing futsal: five clubs, four players, two coaches, one referee. Andreu Camps serves as the federation’s general secretary.
The 140-member body also features a diverse mix of stakeholders who will weigh in on the federation’s governance and integrity matters as the organization navigates this crisis.
CSD wants the file as soon as possible
The assembly will be placed under close observation by the Sports Council as it deliberates next Friday. The council has called for internal proceedings within the federation to clarify what happened in Sydney last Tuesday. The federation publicly acknowledged this in a statement announcing the urgent meeting. It affirmed that its internal procedures regarding integrity and other applicable protocols are clear.
The Sports Council expects the federation to submit a complete file promptly, including explanations from Rubiales and Hermoso. This is the first step; after reviewing all three complaints and the final report, the court of sports, TAD, may review the case. If warranted, the file could be opened there as well, potentially leading to disqualification.