Ben Pawlowski
SPAIN’S participation in this summer’s European Championships could be at risk over alleged ‘government interference’ in the Spanish FA, according to reports.
The three-time Euros winners could be thrown out of the 2024 tournament as UEFA and FIFA, football’s governing bodies, seek clarity over government meddling as Spanish football battles allegations of corruption.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has been embroiled in scandal ever since its former president, Luis Rubiales, was forced to resign after planting a ‘non-consensual’ kiss on female player Jenni Hermoso after Spain won the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Rubiales’ home, alongside the Madrid headquarters of the RFEF, was also raided last month amid investigations into suspicious contracts which saw the Spanish Super Cup relocated to Saudi Arabia from 2022.
According to reports in The Sun, Jose Manuel Rodriguez-Uribes, the president of Spain’s Supreme Sports Council has sent a letter to both UEFA and FIFA explaining why government intervention in the running of the RFEF is necessary.
However, it is believed that football’s higher-up’s have not responded kindly to the explanation, sending back a joint letter stating that any form of government involvement will not be tolerated.
The Supreme Sports Council will be forced to provide answers to a number of key questions:
- On what legal and /or factual basis was the Commission appointed?
- Who makes up the Commission and who appointed its members?
- What is the Commission’s exact mandate?
- What power does the Commission have?
- What relationship does the Commission have with the statutory decision-making bodies in the RFEF?
According to media reports, Spain’s participation in this summer’s edition of the Euros, hosted by Germany, will hinge on the Supreme Sports Council providing satisfactory responses to the aforementioned questions.
If not, then the side who won the Euros back-to-back in 2008 and 2012 could be at risk of being suspended from international competitions.
Spanish clubs including Real Madrid and Barcelona could be banned from European club competitions – the Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference League and Club World Cup – while the country’s joint hosting of the 2030 World Cup with Portugal, Morocco, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay could also be in danger.
In recent years, FIFA have suspended the likes of Zimbabwe, India, Sri Lanka, Kenya and Pakistan over outside interference.
