President of the Spanish FA who replaced disgraced ex-head Luis Rubiales is handed a two-year ban from football for 'abusing his authority' - just DAYS after La Roja's Euro 2024 triumph

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The president of the Spanish FA has been handed a two-year ban from football just days after lifting the European Championship trophy with his victorious players in Berlin. 

Pedro Rocha was appointed to the role of interim head of the RFEF (Spanish federation) in the wake of the resignation of disgraced former president Luis Rubiales. 

His predecessor came under widespread criticism after he forcibly kissed Spain's Jennifer Hermoso during the trophy presentation at the Women's World Cup in the summer of 2023. Rubiales claims the kiss was consensual. 

Rubiales was later handed a three-year ban from football activities from FIFA, and will now stand trial over one count of sexual assault and one of coercion for his alleged activities at the prize-giving ceremony. 

Rocha was later handed the role of president on a permanent basis - but his conduct during the interim role has since come under scrutiny from Spain's Administrative Tribunal of Sport (TAD). 

Pedro Rocha has been handed a two-year suspension by Spain's Administrative Tribunal of Sport (TAD)

The sanction was meted out just days after the president celebrated Spain's Euro 2024 win

Rocha was elevated to the role in the wake of the resignation of disgraced former president Luis Rubiales

The suspended president has been sanctioned by the tribunal for overstepping the limits of his powers in the temporary role, including the decision to despatch former general secretary Andreu Camps. 

Two further infringements, as per the Mirror, have incurred Rocha additional fines worth £13,880 (€16,527), with TAD ruling that his dismissal of Camps was 'an abuse of his authority'. 

After his appointment on a permanent basis to the role in April, Rocha had intended to run for re-election in the autumn, but TAD's sanction could yet keep him from doing so. 

However, Iusport reported on Tuesday evening that Rocha is set to appeal the decision, with the president likely to stay in the role for the duration of the appeal - and able to take part in the elections. 

Both Rubiales and Rocha are currently under investigation as part of a separate alleged corruption probe over the former's improper management of the Super Cup's relocation to Saudi Arabia. 

One of the incidents at the centre of Rocha's suspension was his dismissal of Andreu Camps

Rocha has been deemed to have overstepped his authority as interim head - but is thought to be preparing an appeal

When called to the stand in April, Rocha said that he had 'no knowledge nor, therefore, any responsibility for the facts that are being investigated. 

Both Rocha and Rubiales have denied any wrongdoing. 

As well as providing a blot on Spanish festivities on the heels of the men's team's victory in Berlin, Rocha's suspension comes just months after the country was awarded shared hosting duties for the 2030 World Cup. 

Spain, alongside Portugal and Morocco, will host the storied competition, with Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay all set to see fixtures in commemoration of the World Cup's 100th anniversary.