RFEF
Spanish FA confirm Rubiales stand-in as backroom staff resign en-masse
The latest developments in the ongoing story see the Spanish FA confirming that Pedro Rocha Junco will be in charge during Rubiales’ suspension.
Following the news on Saturday that FIFA had provisionally suspended Spanish FA president for his conduct at the Women’s’ World Cup final medal ceremony and subsequent declarations, the RFEF (Spanish FA) have confirmed that Pedro Rocha Junco will oversee the running of the organisation in Rubiales’ absence.
In one of many official communiques issued by the federation on Saturday, the FA announced that Rubiales will defend his case via the pertinent governing institutions.
RFEF statement
“The RFEF informs that, this morning, it has received notification from the FIFA Disciplinary Committee of the provisional suspension of the President, Luis Rubiales Béjar, while the disciplinary proceedings are being processed.
In accordance with the provisions of the RFEF Statutes, the Deputy Vice-President to the Presidency, Pedro Rocha Junco, will assume the interim presidency during this period.
Luis Rubiales has stated that he will defend himself legally via the competent bodies, has full confidence in the FIFA bodies and reiterates that, in this way, he is being given the opportunity to begin his defence so that the truth prevails and his complete innocence is proven.”
World Cup winning backroom staff stand down
The other major development on Saturday saw the en masse resignation of much of the backroom staff that formed part of the World Cup winning team in Australia-New Zealand. 11 individuals including both first team assistant coaches in Montse Torme and Javier Lerga head the list that includes the first team fitness coach, nutriotionist and under age coaches.
As part of their statement, they added their support for Jenni Hermoso and criticized Rubiales’ actions in Sydney and complained that they were obliged by the federation to occupy front row seats in the auditorium during the Rubiales speech where he displayed his determination to retain his position.
Spain manager De la Fuente speaks out
A day after applauding Rubiales’ words at the RFEF EGM, Spanish national team manager Luis de la Fuente also issued a statement where he criticised the now former president’s actions and words and expressed his sadness that the events of the past few days have overshadowed the historic World Cup win.