Rubiales Resigns: Who Will Lead the RFEF Next?

Speculation in several media circles is growing about the top executive of Spanish football publicly stepping down this Friday, with Pedro Rocha named as the likely successor.

Luis Rubiales is expected to announce his departure from the Royal Spanish Football Federation this Friday, according to Marca. The federation’s president is set to exit in the hours ahead, following the controversy that erupted at the ceremony honoring Spain’s women’s national team, champions of the World Cup staged in New Zealand and Australia.

Luis Rubiales steps down as RFEF president: why he is stepping down

The kiss on Jenni Hermoso during the medal presentation, given without her consent, has become a focal point in a growing series of scandals surrounding the former player and current 46-year-old leader of Spanish football. Since taking office as RFEF president in May 2018, Rubiales has navigated numerous upheavals, some more intense than others. Yet the present crisis marks a different juncture. The situation now has serious momentum behind it.

The episode unfolded during the medal ceremony when Rubiales, in proximity to the royal family and UEFA president Infantino, greeted each Spanish player individually. While protocol was sometimes sidestepped, the moment with Hermoso stood out. At the height of the celebration, when the player wearing the number ten was greeted, a close embrace gave way to a kiss on the lips that circulated globally, triggering immediate debate and backlash.

Rubiales initially downplayed the incident, calling critics “idiots,” “nonsense,” “assholes,” or “suckers who do not see the positive” during an interview with Cadena Cope. Yet public rejection persisted, forcing him to release an apologetic video. According to Relevo, he even urged Hermoso to appear in the video with him. Journalist Natalia Torrente later shared further details from the Antena 3 Espejo Público program, explaining that Rubiales pressed Hermoso to participate in a joint appearance, allegedly saying, “My position is on the line, do it even for my daughters. I want you to date me.”

Hermoso refused to participate in the video. Rubiales, who was reported to have touched his own genitals during the World Cup celebration, faced mounting media pressure and is said to have sought assistance from others after realizing the depth of the fallout, including from Miquel Iceta’s statements. Reports indicate that the coach Jorge Vilda attempted to mediate, speaking with Hermoso’s relatives, but the effort did not alter the course of events.

Since then, a broad spectrum of stakeholders has called for Rubiales to resign or be disqualified, including the Liga de Fútbol Profesional. Hermoso herself, via her players’ union, urged for decisive and exemplary measures in light of the recent events.

Ultimately, FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings on the grounds of Articles 13.1 and 13.2, delivering a decisive blow to the standing chairman of the RFEF. The mounting social and sporting pressure has left Rubiales no choice but to step aside.

Who replaces Rubiales in the RFEF

Rubiales once earned recognition as a Levante captain who helped secure a large portion of the club’s wage bill in 2009. His playing career did not leave a lasting mark on the history books, featuring ten years as a professional and 53 First Division appearances across three seasons.

After hanging up his boots in March 2010, he pivoted to leadership by becoming president of the association that defends players’ rights, the AFE. He led the organization for eight years until Ángel María Villar, then president of the RFEF, was detained at the Las Rozas headquarters on corruption charges. Villar’s departure paved the way for Rubiales, who secured an overwhelming majority in the assembly vote (80 votes to 56 for Juan Luis Larrea, plus one blank vote).

As Rubiales’s tenure faced growing scrutiny, the question of succession emerged. While the precise outcome remained uncertain, sources indicated that Pedro Rocha would assume the role of interim president alongside the current board. Rocha, leader of the Extremadura federation, held the vice presidency of the RFEF and had served in various capacities within the federation. The decision followed an extensive gathering in Las Rozas and signaled a transition toward continuity while leadership questions were resolved.

Rocha has been a trusted associate of Rubiales. A businessman since 1993, Rocha has managed multiple enterprises and devoted much of his career to futsal. He has taken part in several seasons in the Division of Honor and contributed to CP Cacereño as a board member and part of the coaching staff. In recent years, he has directed his efforts within the Extremadura football federation, advancing from provincial deputy of Cáceres to the vice presidency and, since 2013, the presidency of the area.

End of report.