{“title”:”AFE Calls for Rubiales’ Resignation Amid Espionage Allegations in Spanish Football”}

The Association of Spanish Footballers states it will reach out to UEFA, FIFA, the CSD, and the ILO to seek clarity on recent events affecting the sport’s governance in Spain.

AFE has released an official statement asserting that Luis Rubiales should not continue serving as president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). The association calls for the president’s resignation in light of claims reported by El Confidencial, alleging that the RFEF’s lawyer admitted that Rubiales ordered surveillance targeting David Aganzo, president of AFE.

In the same report, Ramón Caravaca, a lawyer for the RFEF, is quoted as contradicting Rubiales’ past denial of involvement in espionage against Aganzo. The remarks were presented amid an internal investigation conducted by the Madrid Bar Association.

The story published on Tuesday by El Confidencial has been refuted by the RFEF, which issued a formal statement of its own. The federation clarified that it was Juan Rubiales, then Chief of the Cabinet in the presidency, who connected the client who sought to report irregularities at AFE. The spokesperson noted that the examiner mistakenly identified Juan Rubiales with Luis Rubiales, causing confusion in the proceedings.

The full statement from AFE

Following a published report and accompanying documents obtained in connection with a complaint before the Deontological Commission of the Madrid Bar Association, in which lawyer Ramon Caravaca acknowledged receiving information from the president of the RFEF to probe Aganzo, the chairman of AFE offers the following clarifications:

1. AFE expresses strong condemnation of actions that undermine the rule of law and professional conduct, describing them as unworthy of a leading sports federation. The association therefore calls for swift disqualification of the President by the appropriate authorities, stressing that replacement remains essential for the federation’s integrity.
2. AFE will promptly pursue all relevant legal avenues to address what it views as illegal practices associated with the RFEF under its current leadership, with accountability placed squarely at the top.
3. The actions in question are seen as attempts to intimidate, coerce, and obstruct the proper operation of the Football Association, constituting interference that threatens workers’ rights and union freedoms.
4. In response to these serious developments, AFE states it will file formal communications with the Higher Sports Council, FIFA, UEFA, and the ILO to seek measures that respond to what it regards as unacceptable behavior within a democratic sports community.
5. AFE emphasizes that this moment marks a decisive institutional juncture for the broader football world, urging all relevant entities to take appropriate steps to safeguard the governance and reputation of the RFEF and to ensure the federation continues to function effectively in national and international contexts.
6. AFE notes that such conduct harms Spain’s standing in the international football community and calls for immediate, robust actions to protect the federation’s image and to support the ongoing efforts surrounding Spain’s bid to host or co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal and Morocco.

Source: Goal