Spanish govt to oversee RFEF, raising concerns from FIFA, UEFA

MADRID :The Spanish government on Thursday announced the creation of a special committee to oversee the country's football federation (RFEF) until the governing body holds new elections.

The decision was taken "in response to the crisis in the organisation and in defence of the general interest of Spain". the National Sports Council (CSD), which is the government agency responsible for sport, said in a statement.

The move followed months of scandals including a corruption investigation and an unsolicited kiss from former RFEF chief Luis Rubiales to player Jenni Hermoso during the on-pitch awards ceremony after Spain's women's World Cup triumph in Sydney.

"The Spanish government has taken this decision in order to correct the serious situation that the RFEF is going through and to allow the organisation to begin a period of regeneration," the CSD said.

"This Commission for Supervision, Normalisation and Representation will be headed by independent persons of recognised prestige."

Spain is trying to move on from the issues within the RFEF as it gears up to co-host the 2030 World Cup.

FIFA and UEFA say they are closely monitoring the situation with great concern. FIFA regulations state that members shall manage their affairs independently and without influence from third parties.

"FIFA and UEFA will seek additional information to assess the extent to which the CSD's appointment of the so-called 'Supervision, Normalisation and Representation Commission' may affect the RFEF's obligation to manage its affairs independently and without undue government interference," they said in a joint statement.

Investigations over a multi-million euro corruption probe during Rubiales' tenure led to other RFEF executives being fired after police