MADRID: Spain’s government on Tuesday appointed former national team coach Vicente del Bosque as head of a special committee to oversee the scandal-ridden RFEF — the national football federation — until it holds new elections, Sports Minister Pilar Alegria said.

The 73-year-old Del Bosque, who led Spain to the 2010 World Cup and 2012 Euro championship titles was picked to head the committee created last week by the government for “his commitment to sport and to his country”.

The RFEF has been mired in scandal recently, including a corruption probe and the widespread fallout from the unsolicited kiss by former RFEF chief Luis Rubiales to Spain player Jenni Hermoso at the Women’s World Cup awards ceremony.

The government will be hoping Del Bosque’s appointment gives the special committee some clout — and some breathing room.

It said it “expects RFEF, FIFA and UEFA to collaborate with the committee” overseeing the national federation.

“Del Bosque represents the best our country’s football has to offer, not only because of his sporting successes,” Alegria told reporters. “He is the clearest representation of a good person, of great human quality and an example of honesty. Del Bosque is going to be the face and the representation of Spanish football.”

FIFA and UEFA had said last week they were monitoring the situation in Spain with “great concern” after Madrid took over the RFEF. FIFA’s regulations said that members must manage their affairs independently and without external influence.

The National Sports Council said the special committee was created as “a constructive response to the reputational crisis RFEF has been experiencing for some time”.

Del Bosque will oversee RFEF until new elections are called after the Paris Olympics .

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2024