Spanish government will oversee the country's FA while search for Luis Rubiales' successor drags on... with the disgraced ex-president arrested as part of corruption probe and on trial for sexual assault

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The Spanish government has formed a special committee to oversee the country's football federation while the search to replace disgraced former president Luis Rubiales continues. 

It was confirmed by the Spanish government on Thursday that the special committee will remain in place until new elections are held, with Rubiales arrested earlier this month as part of a corruption investigation and on trial separately for sexual assault after non-consensually kissing Jenni Hermoso at the Women's World Cup last year.

The National Sports Council (CSD), which is the government agency responsible for sport, said in a statement that the decision was taken 'in response to the crisis in the organisation and in defence of the general interest of Spain'.

'The Spanish government has taken this decision in order to correct the serious situation that the RFEF is going through and to allow the organisation to begin a period of regeneration,' the CSD added.

'This Commission for Supervision, Normalisation and Representation will be headed by independent persons of recognised prestige.' 

The Spanish government has formed a committee to oversee the country's football federation while the search to replace disgraced former president Luis Rubiales (above) continues

Rubiales, who was arrested as part of a corruption scandal this month, resigned in the wake of non-consensually kissing Spain women's star Jenni Hermoso at the World Cup last year

Spain want to move on from the issues in the RFEF ahead of co-hosting the 2030 World Cup

Rubiales was arrested and detained upon arriving in Madrid from the Dominican Republic on April 3 amid allegations of receiving illegal commissions while negotiating a lucrative deal to hold the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Investigations over the multi-million euro corruption probe during Rubiales' tenure led to other RFEF executives being fired after police raided the organisation's headquarters in Madrid last month. 

The 46-year-old former chief denies any wrongdoing, while prosecutors are seeking a jail sentence of up to two-and-a-half years. 

Spain is trying to move on from the issues within the RFEF as it gears up to co-host the 2030 World Cup.

FIFA and UEFA say they are closely monitoring the situation with great concern. FIFA regulations state that members shall manage their affairs independently and without influence from third parties. 

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez pictured at the government's headquarters in Madrid

Hermoso pictured attending court (left) and FIFA's The Best Awards (right) in January 2024

Pedro Rocha (above), who was acting as RFEF stand-in president and hoped to succeed Rubiales permanently, was also placed under investigation by a judge earlier this month

Pedro Rocha, who was acting as RFEF stand-in president and hoped to be anointed permanently, was placed under investigation by a judge this month after testifying as a witness in court. He was the sole candidate to succeed Rubiales.

Rocha said on April 16 he had 'no knowledge nor, therefore, any responsibility for the facts that are being investigated'.