The embarrassing role of the football federation

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is facing a possible intervention by FIFA, the highest governing body of that sport, a situation for which there are few precedents in the world and which shows both the degradation into which the organization has fallen national and the need to address urgent solutions. The eventual guardianship is part of an initiative of the Higher Sports Council (CSD) after the operation carried out by the Civil Guard last week, which concluded with seven arrests for alleged crimes of corruption in business, unfair administration and money laundering, all They are linked to contracts of the entity from the last five years, and some linked to the celebration of the Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. One of those arrested was the right hand

of the previous president, Luis Rubiales, who is also being investigated in this case.

It is the latest in a series of scandals in a federation that has long been accustomed to them without addressing them effectively. Rubiales became president in 2018 with the promise of correcting the errors of 29 years of paternalistic and caciquil rule of Ángel María Villar, who had been arrested a year earlier for a plot to purchase favors from federation leaders that had served to perpetuate himself. almost three decades in office. This case is still pending trial. Not only did Rubiales not correct this type of excess, but errors, controversies and clientelism multiplied without the slightest internal, social or institutional reproach. Until the embarrassment for all of Spain came from his non-consensual kiss and the coercion of Jenni Hermoso after the success of the women's team in Sydney, an international scandal that forced him, despite himself, to resign last September and for which the Prosecutor's Office He is now asking for two and a half years in prison.

Probably without the commotion of the

Rubiales would remain in office, despite the suspicions that were already falling on his actions, as evidenced by the ongoing investigation. His departure demonstrated the urgency of addressing the structural problems in the management of football in Spain. It hasn't been like that. His successor at the head of a manager and dolphin, Pedro Rocha, is still in office six months later, despite his interim status. On Wednesday, the CSD asked the Sports Administrative Court (TAD) to file him for a very serious offense after not having called elections for the presidency in due time and for exceeding his duties.

The RFEF is a private entity, but of public utility and with public functions. The national teams depend on her and she represents Spain before the world in the largest mass spectacle that exists. Successive governments have had little capacity to intervene, but they should have been much more vigilant so that the situation did not reach such a level of disrepute that it risks becoming even more chronic without clearly decided action for which there is time for new and better instruments. The tutelage of FIFA would mean an obvious discredit for a country that will host its second World Cup in 2030 (along with five others). But it would serve to make way for cleaner and more neutral elections that would allow the already useless structures of the RFEF to be regenerated. The credit of an entire country, the demonstrated professionalism and good name of male and female players, and the feelings of millions of football fans demand it.