The Spanish Football Federation suffered a new blow, after a judge in Spain announced that a prominent candidate for the presidency of the federation to succeed Luis Rubiales was suspected in a corruption investigation. It was decided to summon Pedro Rocha to give his testimony as a witness before the court examining allegations of corruption, illegal acts and money laundering during Rubiales’ presidency of the Spanish Football Federation. The court said that his testimony prompted the judge to stop the proceedings, declare Rocha a suspect, and order him to return another day to testify, accompanied by his lawyer. Rocha, who had chaired the Union's Economic Committee, resigned from his position as acting president to run in the elections for the presidency of the Union. Elections are expected to be held on May 6, but Rocha could be elected president next week if he is the only candidate with sufficient support to run in the elections. As he left the court, he told reporters that he was "clear of conscience" in the face of the allegations. He said, "I will explain my position. I don't know anything about these matters." The federation did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Rubiales resigned from his position as president of the federation last September, one month after the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) banned him from engaging in any football-related activity for three years, after he kissed player Gini Ermoso on the lips without her desire after Spain won the Women's World Cup. A judge recommended that Rubiales be tried for sexual assault in connection with the incident, a charge that Rubiales denies.