A judge has rejected a request by Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Pedro Rocha to grant a temporary injunction against his suspension, leaving him unable to continue in the role unless he files an urgent appeal.
In July, just two days after Spain won Euro 2024, the country’s Administrative Tribunal of Sport (TAD) suspended Rocha from any leadership position in sports bodies for two years, ruling that he had exceeded his authority in a decision taken after the departure of his predecessor Luis Rubiales.
Rocha has requested an injunction while a judge reviews the case, arguing that failure to grant one would render him unable to run in the upcoming RFEF presidential elections, scheduled for this month.
The request was rejected on Monday by the National Court of Madrid, which considered that Rocha “had not provided any evidence” to support his claim that he would suffer “irreparable damage” without an injunction.
“There is no evidence that the damages claimed actually exist, especially since the elections to the RFEF General Assembly have not yet been called,” the judge said.
If Rocha is unsuccessful in his emergency appeal, he will be unable to run in the presidential election later this month, ending his brief reign as head of Spanish football’s governing body.
Rocha temporarily took charge of the RFEF as interim president when Rubiales – who was facing a criminal investigation and a FIFA suspension for kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent after Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory – resigned in 2023.
He had previously served as vice president of the federation, working closely with Rubiales.
After Rubiales’ departure, Rocha and the RFEF’s interim board implemented a series of reforms as part of a broader overhaul of the federation.
One of them was the dismissal of the then secretary general, Andreu Camps, in September 2023.
In July, Spain’s Administrative Court of Sport ruled that Rocha had committed “very serious” misconduct in dismissing Camps, a decision that exceeded his authority.
The RFEF is expected to play a key role in organising the 2030 World Cup, which Spain will host alongside Portugal and Morocco.
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