Pedro Rocha (Spanish businessman) explained

Pedro Rocha
Order1:27th President of
Office1:Royal Spanish Football Federation
Term Start1:26 April 2024
Acting: 10 September 2023 – 26 April 2024
Predecessor1:Luis Rubiales
Birth Name:Pedro Rocha Junco
Birth Date:16 October 1954
Birth Place:Cáceres, Spain
Nationality:Spanish

Pedro Rocha Junco (born 16 October 1954 in Cáceres) is a Spanish businessman and sports manager known as the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, since April 26, 2024, after Luis Rubiales was disqualified by FIFA for his kiss to Jenni Hermoso.[1]

Biography

Rocha has had a diverse and significant career both on and off the playing field.

As a player, he dedicated himself to indoor soccer, where he played several seasons in the Honor Division. His passion for the sport led him to occupy several important roles, including being a manager and member of the coaching staff of Cacereño in the 3rd Division and 2nd Division “B”, and vice president of C. Cacereño Malpartida in the 3rd national division.[2]

Business career

Rocha is a businessman since 1993 and manager of up to three establishments, his life has been closely linked to football. Pedro Rocha came to play for several seasons in the Honor Division of futsal, and already in the managerial field, he was part of the management and coaching staff of C.P. Cacereño. In addition, he was president of the Futsal Committee of the Extremadura Federation from 2008 to 2011.[3] [4]

Administrative career

Rocha, who served as deputy vice president under Luis Rubiales at the Royal Spanish Football Federation, became interim president in September 2023 before being officially appointed as the new president in April 2024.[1] On July 16, 2024, following the national team's victory in the UEFA Euro 2024, Spain's Sports Administrative Court (TAD) suspended Rocha for two years. The suspension was due to his abuse of authority in dismissing former General Secretary Andreu Camps and handing him two fines, which was considered as a breach of sports discipline regulations.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 27 August 2023 . Así es Pedro Rocha: experto en fútbol regional y mano derecha de Luis Rubiales al frente de la RFEF . 24 April 2024 . Vox Populi . ES.
  2. Web site: 12 April 2024 . ¿Quién es Pedro Rocha? El candidato a presidente de la RFEF . 24 April 2024 . DAZN.com . ES.
  3. Web site: 12 April 2024 . Fútbol: Quién es Pedro Rocha, el candidato a la presidencia de la RFEF tras la salida de Luis Rubiales . 24 April 2024 . Cadena SER.com . ES.
  4. Web site: 13 April 2024 . ¿QUIÉN ES REALMENTE PEDRO ROCHA? LA HISTORIA DE UN EXJUGADOR DE FÚTBOL SALA QUE ASCENDIÓ A LA SOMBRA DE VILLAR Y RUBIALES . 24 April 2024 . Relevo.com . ES.
  5. Web site: Rai . Guillermo . Spanish FA president Pedro Rocha suspended for two years for abuse of authority . The New York Times . 16 July 2024 .