Spanish FA Chief banned days after Spain lifted UEFA Euro 2024 title

According to media sources on Tuesday, Spain's football federation (RFEF) experienced a fresh scandal following its victory in the UEFA Euro 2024 final. Pedro Rocha, the RFEF's president, was imposed a two-year suspension.

The Administrative Tribunal of Sport (TAD) in Spain suspended Rocha, according to Spanish media sites Onda Cero and Iusport, because he made choices that were not within his authority, like firing the federation's general secretary, Andreu Camps. 

After aggressively kissing athlete Jenni Hermoso during the awards ceremony following Spain's Women's World Cup victory, former president Luis Rubiales was forced to resign in September 2023. Rocha was named RFEF president in April after this massive incident.

In addition, Rocha and Rubiales will be investigated for corruption related to the federation under the latter's leadership. Rocha may not be allowed to contest in the federation's upcoming September presidential elections as a result of the TAD's censure. A copy of the ruling, shared on X by a journalist from Onda Cero, states that Rocha is prohibited by the tribunal from "holding a post in any sporting federation" for the duration of his two-year sentence.

According to Iusport, Rocha will file an appeal of the ruling and seek to hold onto his position until the matter is resolved. This will enable him to stand for reelection in the fall. When AFP contacted Spain's National Sports Council (CSD), which is in charge of the TAD, they did not reply.

Spanish full-back Marc Cucurella takes dig at Erling Haaland

During the celebration in Madrid, Cucurella snatched the microphone and entertained the revelers, happy to take center stage. To the tune of a terrace song that has accompanied him from Brighton & Hove Albion to Chelsea, the young left-back chanted that, “Cucu cucu-rella, he eats paella, Cucu cucu-rella he drinks Estrella, Haaland you’d better tremble because Cucurella is coming!”

Cucurella will now be able to take a well-earned vacation after assisting Spain in becoming the first team to win Europe four times. Following a battery recharge, he will resume preseason training at Chelsea in advance of their August 18 home game against title-holder Manchester City and Haaland in 2024–25.