March 21, (THEWILL)- Spain’s Football Federation (RFEF), has terminated the contract of two executives amidst a multimillion-euro corruption probe on Thursday. The move followed claims that the case caused “very serious damage” to the sport’s image in the country.
Pedro Gonzalez Segura, director of legal services and Jose Javier Jimenez, director of human resources, were dismissed from their positions, according to an RFEF statement. The federation confirmed, “It opened disciplinary proceedings and removed from their jobs and functions the managers related to the legal case.”
This scandal emerged less than a year after former President Luis Rubiales resigned due to an unsolicited kiss on Spain player Jenni Hermoso following the Women’s World Cup final triumph. Interim President Pedro Rocha, formerly chair of the RFEF’s economic commission, was anticipated to announce his candidacy on Wednesday to replace Rubiales.
However, police arrived at the Federation’s headquarters, prompting the cancellation of a scheduled board meeting with regional Federation presidents. Additionally, the RFEF terminated its contract with external legal counsel Tomas Gonzalez Cueto of GC Legal and revoked his partner Ramon Caravaca’s authority to represent the federation legally.
On Wednesday, police searched the Federation’s offices, Rubiales’s apartment, and La Cartuja stadium in Seville as part of an alleged corruption investigation involving relocating the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia. Seville’s city hall stated it provided documents signed in 2021 by former Mayor Juan Espadas, concerning hosting the Copa del Rey final at La Cartuja.
Refurbishing this outdated, state-owned stadium was a major Rubiales project, with the Andalusian government paying the Federation €8.4 million in 2020 for its 40% stake. The regional government affirmed the renovation works’ legality and cooperation with investigators.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
