The football world remains unsettled after the upheaval surrounding Luis Rubiales and the non-consensual kiss involving Jenni Hermoso that followed Spain’s Women’s World Cup triumph. In the interim, the federation’s leadership has shifted under the watch of Pedro Rocha, the vice-president trusted by Rubiales, who remains a central figure shaping Spain’s national football agenda.
Across Extremadura, officials are moving to establish the governance framework by convening a management committee as they await a ministerial order that will fix the date of federation elections. The government is considering holding these elections in the first quarter of 2024, aiming to assert control swiftly. Víctor Francos, who has administered the Spanish Higher Sports Council since June 2023 and is seen as a key representative of the new sports leadership, is pushing to resolve this matter quickly.
Controversial ministerial order
Legally, football operates as an Olympic federation, which normally places elections in the second half of 2024 after the Paris Games. Still, the Government signals a preference to move faster and has the authority to accelerate proceedings or to direct the Royal Spanish Football Federation to proceed. The football world awaits a ministerial order that would set the election date, with expectations that it will appear in the coming weeks. Even if objections arise, the decision may still be tested in court, potentially delaying the elections until a later judicial ruling.
Meanwhile, activity behind the scenes intensifies. Pedro Rocha has met discreetly with regional presidents, seeking broad support under the banner of keeping football governance stable amid perceived threats from external candidates who might run when elections are convened. With nineteen regional federations in play, the consolidation of support is proving fragmented. Salvador Gomar of the Valencian federation has signaled he will present himself as an alternative, underscoring government concerns that unity among regions is not guaranteed. That dynamic opens room for other contenders.
Gomar breaks regional consensus
The government has long relied on a trusted individual to steer the process, but there was never unanimous backing across autonomous federations. Negotiations have involved region-by-region deals with votes traded for certain favors. As chair of the managing body, Rocha could call presidential elections at once, yet doing so would trigger further parliamentary steps and delay a broader federal vote planned for the second quarter of 2024 to shape a new parliament. In that scenario, Rocha would become president for four years, a path the government wants to avoid.
Throughout the waiting period, Rocha has chosen a restrained public presence, avoiding media interviews to prevent misinterpretations and focusing on building bridges. Notably, he has sought to mend ties with LaLiga, with Javier Tebas’s leadership expressing appreciation for the recent rapprochement after years of tension. In women’s football circles, Beatriz Álvarez’s Women’s Union has welcomed Rocha’s stance amid the ongoing tensions sparked by Rubiales’ challenges.
On the women’s front, Rocha aligns with the commitments Francos outlined in the so-called Oliva Pact, promising to honor the decisions taken in that framework. As for the legal process, action is moving forward with the case against Luis Rubiales featuring multiple defendants, including federation staff, as reported by multiple outlets.
Other shadow candidates
As Rocha delays final decisions to organize the federation and distance himself from Rubiales, cautious maneuvering unfolds as the election date remains under wraps. Salvador Gomar has been explicit: he intends to stand for RFEF leadership when the ballots are cast, expressing anticipation that someone supported by Florentino Pérez will emerge, a possibility that both the federation and the sports council are watching closely.
There is also discussion of a candidate who could gain government endorsement. Names circulate with varying credibility, including the president of the Spanish Footballers’ Association, David Aganzo, Valladolid’s former leader Carlos Suárez, and the unexpected potential candidacy of Mateu Alemany. Some even mention former referee Mateu Lahoz or journalist Carlos Herrera as unlikely contenders.