Pedro Rocha Faces Uphill Battle as Court Denies Appeal Against Disqualification
The head of the Central Court of Administrative Litigation No. 2 of the National Court has dismissed the precautionary measure sought by former Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Pedro Rocha. This ruling comes in light of a two-year disqualification imposed by the Administrative Court of Sport (TAD). As it stands, Rocha now faces limited options, with the only possible avenue being an urgent appeal to the National Court that could allow him to participate in the upcoming election for the presidency of the RFEF.
According to legal sources including Iusport and reported by Europa Press, Rocha's legal team argued that a favorable ruling would be moot if process timings led to a decision post-election announcement. Rocha, who assumed leadership following the disqualification of Luis Rubiales, aimed to retain his position amid the legal turbulence.
The TAD's disqualification was initially determined on July 16, where the court partially accepted a proposal from State lawyer Marina Adela Porta Serrano. The ruling specifically highlighted Rocha's dismissal of General Secretary Andreu Camps as an action not within his authority as president of the RFEF's Management Commission, underscoring the need for a collegial decision for such measures.
Additionally, Rocha faced fines of approximately 33,000 euros related to two other charges— the termination of the relationship with lawyer Tomás González Cueto and his involvement in the criminal Brodie operation, as confirmed by the RFEF's Management Commission.
In related developments, the RFEF has rejected a request from La Liga to elevate the ongoing case against Rubiales to the National Court, adding another layer of complexity to the situation as Rocha's successor is also under investigation. The fallout from these decisions continues to reverberate through Spain's football landscape as the RFEF approaches a critical point in its governance and leadership choices.
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