Pedro Rocha has been charged with alleged corruption in the Spanish Football Federation (FEF) in the so-called 'Brody case', in which Luis Rubiales is being investigated. The former interim president and candidate for the presidency of the FEF arrived at the Investigative Court number 4 of Majadahonda (Madrid) “calm” and willing to “collaborate with justice” as a witness on the alleged irregularities in several contracts during Rubiales' mandate. However, Judge Delia Rodrigo has suspended her statement and has informed her of her new status as an under investigation at the request of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, so she will summon him again later to question him accompanied by her lawyer.
The judge's decision makes it practically impossible for Rocha to become president of the FEF and occupy the position of Rubiales, of which he was his vice president in the previous term. The man now under investigation obtained more than a hundred endorsements to run for office. Specifically, 107 of the 138 federation officials present in the General Assembly supported it, 77% of the total.
Rocha was summoned to testify as a witness for the alleged irregularities in the contracts signed by this organization during the administration of Luis Rubiales. His appearance was intended to clarify the criminal evidence collected within the framework of the separate piece, known as 'Brody', which the court opened in parallel to the main case, which revolves around alleged anomalies and illegalities committed for the celebration of the Spanish Football Super Cup. in Saudi Arabia.
The judge investigates crimes of corruption in business, unfair administration and money laundering committed between 2018 and 2023, when Rubiales was in charge of the FEF.
“All contracts went through him”
According to legal sources present at the interrogation, Rocha has begun to testify before the suspension and has offloaded all responsibility for the contracts on Rubiales himself and on his trusted man, Tomás González Cueto, external advisor and appointed “commissioner” for the control of the awards, among which is that of the works carried out in La Cartuja for the Euro 2021.
When asked by the judge, Rocha stated that economic decisions were made based on reports signed by the technicians of each department, although González Cueto was also included and “all contracts went through him.” When asked about the need to have this external advice, Rocha stated that “it was the president's decision.” A question that will be reiterated when Rubiales appears in court on April 29 and that could lead to a confrontation between both investigated.
The investigations have received a boost since last April 3 the Civil Guard arrested and released Rubiales after his arrival in Spain from the Dominican Republic, where the Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the armed institute registered the former soccer player's accommodation in Punta Cana by order of the instructor.
Rubiales arrived that day at the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport after bringing forward his return, initially scheduled for April 6, according to what his defense informed the court after a series of entries and searches occurred at the FEF headquarters and several addresses in Madrid and Granada. When detained by the agents, the former leader did not want to testify.
Weeks ago, the judge released the man who was an external legal advisor to the federation, Tomás González Cueto, and Ángel González Segura, related to the works at the La Cartuja stadium in Seville that are under suspicion. They are the only ones of the seven people detained in the first searches who were brought to justice. Both availed themselves of their right not to testify, alleging that the summary was secret.
Endorsements to be president
It so happens that Rocha's appearance in court took place two days after the former president of the FEF managing committee registered his candidacy to be president of the highest body of Spanish football once he had met the minimum of 90 required guarantees. . A month ago, Rocha announced his resignation as president of the Extremadura Federation in a first step towards the elections that will be held on May 6.
«Pedro Rocha has taken this step forward after a few days of reflection, after receiving the trust of groups in the world of football to guarantee the stability and unity that the entity needs in a particularly complex moment, with a presentation of candidacy for the World Cup, a European Championship and an Olympic Games on the nearest horizon,” Rocha's candidacy noted.
However, Rocha's accusation ruins his aspirations. Although the statutes and regulations of the FEF do not expressly contemplate the prohibition of an accused in a judicial process from being president, it does make it clear that a disqualified leader cannot be a member of the assembly.
Rocha's future is therefore pending before the Sports Administrative Court (TAD), which, barring a surprise, will disqualify the Extremaduran leader after learning of his accusation. Therefore, Rocha will not be able to be president of the FEF in the event that his expected disqualification is decreed.
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