Pedro Rocha, from witness to investigated

The head of the court of inquiry number 4 of Majadahonda has changed the status of witness to that of investigator in Pedro Rocha in the framework of what is known as the Rubiales case, according to judicial sources.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
12 April 2024 Friday 23:06
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Pedro Rocha, from witness to investigated

The head of the court of inquiry number 4 of Majadahonda has changed the status of witness to that of investigator in Pedro Rocha in the framework of what is known as the Rubiales case, according to judicial sources. Rocha, aspirant for the presidency of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), was summoned yesterday to testify as a witness for the Brody operation on the improper use of RFEF funds by the previous president, Luis Rubiales

According to legal sources, the instructor stopped the statement to inform him that he was being investigated and, therefore, so that his right of defense would not be affected, he would be summoned later with a lawyer. When he arrived at the courts he said that he was "very calm, I am coming to collaborate with justice". Rocha had been RFEF's economic vice-president and has chaired the Management Committee since Rubiales resigned in September 2023, following FIFA's three-year ban for his behavior at the Women's World Cup final and the unconsented kiss in player Jenni Hermoso, who is also investigating the National Court.

Rocha had to give explanations as president of the federative economic commission on the awarding of contracts to the construction company Gruconsa, at the epicenter of the plot, as well as the alleged cost overruns for the trips of the different selections.

In a statement, Rocha defended his innocence by assuring that "I have no knowledge and, therefore, no responsibility for the facts that are being investigated. For this reason, I advance that I will defend my innocence and my honesty until the last instance".

At the same time, the Sports Administrative Court (TAD) opened a case against him for "very serious" infringement for not having called elections at the right time and going beyond the limits of his duties. The TAD would have opened the aforementioned file against Rocha after taking into account the complaint submitted by the president of Cenafe, Miguel Galán, shortly after his imputation.

With this new condition of being investigated in the so-called Brody case, it will be necessary to see if he can be appointed president because, so far, the RFEF has removed all those investigated in this matter from their functions. Precisely yesterday he was to be proclaimed as the sole candidate for the presidency of the RFEF, after being the only one to have presented the necessary endorsements.