Spanish govt to 'oversee' scandal-hit football federation

The Spanish government decided Thursday to create a commission to "oversee" the country's scandal-hit football federation (RFEF) and try to pull it out of crisis.

"The Spanish government adopted this decision to redress the serious situation of the RFEF so that the organisation could enter a stage of renewal in a stable climate," the National Sports Council (CSD), an agency dependent on the Ministry of Sports, announced.

Spain are set to host the 2030 World Cup along with Portugal and Morocco, but in recent months the RFEF has lurched from one embarrassment to another.

The CSD said it will create a "commission of supervision, standardisation and representation" led by "independent personalities" which will "oversee the RFEF during the coming months in response to the federation's crisis and in defence of Spain's general interests".

According to the Spanish press, former Spain coach and 2010 World Cup winner Vicente del Bosque could be one of the members of this commission.

However world and European football governing bodies FIFA and UEFA issued a statement expressing "great concern" at the situation around the RFEF.

"FIFA and UEFA will seek additional information to assess the extent to which the CSD's appointment (of the committee)...  may affect the RFEF's obligation to manage its affairs independently and without undue government interference," they said.

FIFA suspended Zimbabwe and Kenya's memberships over government interference in 2022, subsequently lifting the bans.

Former RFEF president Luis Rubiales resigned in disgrace last September after his forcible kiss on the lips of Women's World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso and is now being investigated in a separate corruption probe.

The only candidate to replace Rubiales, Pedro Rocha, is also being investigated, while a report from the country's leading sports court said the RFEF had taken decisions "beyond its remit".

One such decision was the renewal of Spain coach Luis de la Fuente's contract in February.

It was the sport court's report that led to Thursday's CSD decision to oversee the federation.

Elections for the RFEF presidency are currently scheduled for May 6.

The Secretary of State for Sport and CSD president, Jose Manuel Uribes, on Thursday urged the RFEF "to limit its functions to the mere ordinary administration of the entity, as required by law".