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Published on 2024-04-03 12:33:31
Former football chief Luis Rubiales, who was president of the RFEF football federation, was briefly arrested by Spanish police on Wednesday in connection with an alleged graft scandal. The 46-year-old was taken into custody at Madrid’s Barajas airport after arriving from the Dominican Republic. However, he was released shortly afterward, according to a Guardia Civil police spokesman. Sources close to the investigation revealed that he was escorted off the plane by police and questioned inside the airport. Rubiales’ arrest followed raids on 11 locations, including the RFEF headquarters in Madrid and his residence in Granada, as part of a probe into corruption and other crimes. Judicial sources stated that the investigation was focused on possible corruption in business, fraudulent administration, and money laundering. Reports indicated that investigators were examining RFEF contracts signed since 2018, including one that brought the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia. The deal, worth 40 million euros annually, was facilitated by Kosmos, a company owned by former footballer Gerard Pique.
Cadena Ser radio reported that Guardia Civil officers flew to the Dominican Republic to search the property where Rubiales was staying, seizing a laptop and a mobile phone on the orders of the investigating judge. The day after the raids, the RFEF dismissed its legal director and head of human resources, as well as terminating its contract with the GC Legal law firm. All three individuals had been arrested during the raids. Rubiales had previously resigned as RFEF president in September after a controversial incident in which he forcibly kissed Women’s World Cup star Jenni Hermoso. The act was met with widespread condemnation, and Rubiales faced potential criminal charges for the non-consensual kiss.
An investigation into the Super Cup deal was initiated in 2022 after leaked audio recordings revealed discussions between Rubiales and Pique about potential commissions. Rubiales defended the legality of the deal, while Pique expressed pride in the arrangement. The Spanish Super Cup was held in Saudi Arabia for the first time in 2020 and subsequently returned there for the next three events after a temporary relocation to Spain due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pique participated in two Super Cups in Saudi Arabia with Barcelona before retiring from professional football in 2022.
