Former President of Spanish Football Federation Detained in Corruption Probe

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Luis Rubiales corruption probe
2. Spanish police detain football chief

Former Royal Spanish Football Federation president, Luis Rubiales, was detained by police in Spain upon his return from the Dominican Republic as part of a corruption probe. Rubiales was questioned about a business deal to move the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia during his presidency. The investigation also includes allegations of corruption and money laundering related to the Super Cup and other deals. Rubiales, who resigned in September amid a scandal involving player Jenni Hermoso, denied any wrongdoing. The probe follows leaked audio implicating Rubiales and former Barcelona player Gerard Pique in a deal worth millions. Rubiales maintains his innocence, stating his funds are from work and savings.

Former Spanish Football Federation President Detained Upon Return to Spain

Upon his return to Spain, Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, was detained by police as part of an ongoing corruption probe. The Civil Guard confirmed that Rubiales was questioned at Madrid’s airport after being detained on Wednesday upon his arrival from the Dominican Republic. He was later released by the authorities.

Investigation Into Business Deal Regarding Spanish Super Cup

Rubiales returned to Spain amidst a judicial investigation into a business deal involving the relocation of the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia. Two weeks prior to his return, police had conducted raids on a property owned by Rubiales in Granada and the offices of the Spanish Football Federation in Madrid. These raids were part of a larger investigation into corruption and money laundering, with the Super Cup deal being a focal point.

Allegations and Legal Troubles

As part of the investigation, seven individuals were detained by the police, with Rubiales being identified as one of five additional persons under investigation. Rubiales stepped down from his position as president in September following a scandal in which he was accused of sexually assaulting player Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup. He has vehemently denied the allegations and is awaiting trial.

Rubiales’ Role in Spanish Football

During his tenure as president of the Spanish Football Federation, Rubiales made significant changes to the format of the Spanish Super Cup in 2020. He introduced a four-team mini-tournament and facilitated the move of the competition to Saudi Arabia through a lucrative deal reportedly worth 40 million euros per tournament for the federation.

Probes and Allegations Surrounding the Deal

The deal between the federation, Saudi Arabia, and Gerard Pique’s sports entertainment company Kosmos came under scrutiny in 2022 after leaked audio conversations between Rubiales and Pique surfaced, discussing substantial commissions. While Pique’s company was involved in the deal, no employees of Kosmos have been detained or placed under investigation, and no raids have been conducted on the company’s premises.

Rubiales’ Response to Allegations

In a recorded interview with Spanish television channel La Sexta, Rubiales refuted the claims made by the media, calling them false. He maintained that the funds in his bank account were a result of his hard work and savings, dismissing any accusations of impropriety.

As the investigation unfolds, the Spanish football community awaits further developments in this ongoing saga surrounding one of its prominent figures.