Rubiales to Return from The Dominican Republic to Spain for Assistance in Corruption Investigation

Luis Rubiales, the former head of Spanish soccer, has agreed to return to Spain to face a probe into a business deal involving the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, following a money laundering and corruption investigation. Rubiales was in the Dominican Republic when his properties in Granada and Madrid, as well as the offices of the Spanish Football Federation, were raided by police. He was identified as one of five individuals under investigation.

Rubiales’ lawyer confirmed his willingness to cooperate with the authorities and planned to return to Spain on April 6, although he was prepared to return earlier if necessary. A copy of his plane ticket from the Dominican Republic was included as evidence of his intent. At this stage, no arrest warrant has been issued for Rubiales or any other individuals of interest in the case.

The raid sought evidence from 11 locations, with Spain’s state prosecutors leading the investigation. As the head of Spanish soccer, Rubiales’ controversial decision to turn the Spanish Super Cup into a four-team mini tournament in Saudi Arabia raised eyebrows. The move was part of a deal allegedly worth 40 million euros per tournament to the federation, a figure equivalent to $42 million at that time.

The deal became the subject of a probe launched in 2022 after leaked audio emerged between Rubiales and then-Barcelona player Gerard Piqué, where they discussed millions of dollars in commissions. Piqué’s sports entertainment company, Kosmos, was a party to the contentious deal involving the Spanish football federation and Saudi Arabia. A company official confirmed that no Kosmos employee has been detained or placed under investigation, and no company property has been raided.

Rubiales stepped down from his role in September amid an international scandal, accused of assaulting a female player, Jenni Hermoso, without her consent at the Women’s World Cup final. He is currently facing a trial for alleged sexual assault on Hermoso, a charge he vehemently denies. His decision to return to Spain to face the probe signifies the gravity of the investigation connected with Spanish soccer’s governing body.