The Rubiales affair is jeopardizing Morocco’s World Cup bid

In its request to the CAS, to which El País had access, the Spanish government has asked the body to take up the case ex officio and provisionally suspend Rubiales, pending the resolution of the case of the forced kiss on the player Jenni Hermoso, arguing that the maintenance of the president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in his position would further damage the image of Spain and its football at the national and international level.

In this case, the government of Pedro Sanchez believes that Rubiales could jeopardize its candidacy for the 2030 World Cup with Morocco and Portugal. In its letter to the CAS, it also mentioned Rubiales’ involvement in the threatening letter sent to UEFA, which has jeopardized the participation of Spanish teams and the national team in international competitions.

FIFA has already suspended Rubiales for 90 days. It is up to the CAS members to determine whether the actions of the RFEF president have damaged Spain’s reputation. The CAS decision will be closely watched, and not just in Spain, as its president, Miguel Pajuelo, is the only one to have described Rubiales’ forced kiss as a "very serious" act. The five other members of the tribunal will have to decide whether or not to suspend Rubiales on a precautionary basis.