Spanish football chief set to be suspended following arrest

IANS  |  Madrid 

Angel Maria Villar is likely to be suspended from his post as President of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Tuesday as the Spanish Administrative Tribunal (TAD) meets to decide his future.

Villar, who has been helming the governing body of Spanish football since 1988, was last Friday refused bail and sent to jail pending trial along with his son Gorka after being arrested for a series of corruption charges on July 18, reports Xinhua news agency.

The 67-year-old, who was only re-elected for an eighth successive term in office in May, has so far not offered his resignation from his post.

But TAD President Enrique Arnaldo explained that Villar could not be suspended without the approval of his organisation, although that looks to be a formality.

"We can't agree to suspend him, without a file being opened; although we have looked at the findings of the judge investigating the case and as well as the legal issues, we believe there is enough to consider an infraction has been committed," explained Arnaldo in the Spanish press.

Meanwhile the RFEF will hold the meeting of its Board of Directors which had originally been scheduled for last Friday only to be suspended due to Villar's arrest.

It is not certain whether they will elect a new temporary president, or decide to call new elections.

--IANS

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