Spanish World Cup Bid in Jeopardy Amid Football Federation Scandals

The Spanish press reported this week on a scandal at the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). The governing body of Spanish football would have manipulated results to exclude cities like Vigo and favor others like San Sebastian. The affair has sparked a heated controversy on the Iberian peninsula, especially after recordings of meetings leaked to the press.

In recent years, the RFEF has been cited in several cases involving its former president, Luis Rubiales. In addition to the scandal of the unconsented kiss given by the latter to the player Jenni Hermoso, the Spanish federation has been shaken by the Spanish Super Cup affair and the Brody affair in which it is accused of corruption, disloyal administration, money laundering and membership of a criminal organization, according to Marca.

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is closely following these cases, which the Spanish justice system is seized with, in order to take the necessary measures at the appropriate time. According to Marca, these successive scandals at the RFEF are annoying the governing body of world football and risk compromising Spain’s organization of the 2030 World Cup, jointly with Morocco and Portugal.

Failing to exclude Spain from the organization of this world tournament, FIFA could override the decisions of the Federation and proceed to the designation of the Spanish cities that will host the 2030 World Cup or take other decisions in place of the Spanish authorities.