Former Soccer Federation President Luis Rubiales Detained in Spain Amid Corruption Probe

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

Former Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales was detained by police upon his return to Spain from the Dominican Republic in connection with an ongoing corruption investigation. Rubiales is being questioned by police at Madrid’s airport and could face charges related to a business deal involving the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. This arrest comes after a property owned by Rubiales was raided by police as part of a money laundering probe. Rubiales had stepped down as president of the federation after a scandal involving an alleged sexual assault on a player. The investigation also involves leaked audio regarding a lucrative deal with Saudi Arabia and Gerard Piqué’s sports entertainment company.

Former Soccer Federation President Luis Rubiales Detained by Spanish Police

On his return to Spain, former soccer federation president Luis Rubiales was detained by Spanish police amid an ongoing corruption probe, Spain’s Civil Guard announced on Wednesday. Rubiales was questioned by police at Madrid’s airport after being detained upon exiting the plane that brought him back home from the Dominican Republic.

Judicial Probe and Corruption Allegations

Rubiales returned to Spain amidst a judicial probe into the business deal to hold the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. Two weeks prior, police raided a property belonging to him in Granada and the offices of the Spanish Football Federation in Madrid. This was part of a corruption and money laundering investigation that included the Super Cup among other deals. Seven people were detained by police, and Rubiales was identified as one of five additional individuals under investigation.

Scandal and Allegations

Rubiales had stepped down as president of the federation in September after causing an international scandal for kissing Spain player Jenni Hermoso without her consent at the Women’s World Cup final. He is also facing a trial for allegedly sexually assaulting Hermoso, though he has denied any wrongdoing in that case.

Investigation into Spanish Super Cup Deal

During his tenure as president of Spanish soccer, Rubiales overhauled the format of the Spanish Super Cup in 2020, creating a four-team mini tournament and moving the competition to Saudi Arabia as part of a deal reportedly worth 40 million euros per tournament for the federation. Prosecutors opened a probe into this deal in 2022 following leaked audio between Rubiales and then-Barcelona player Gerard Piqué regarding millions of dollars in commissions.

Denials and Statements

In a brief preview of a recorded interview with Spanish television channel La Sexta, Rubiales denied a series of what he called false claims made by Spanish media. “I don’t know what the judge has said or what Civil Guard has investigated,” he said. “The money in my bank account is the result of my work and my savings.”

Continuing Investigation

As the investigation into Rubiales and the corruption allegations continues, the Spanish soccer community remains on edge. The outcome of this probe could have far-reaching implications for the sport in Spain and beyond. Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops.

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