Luis Rubiales, the former Spanish soccer boss, is set to return to Spain to face a judicial probe into a business deal that saw the Spanish Super Cup held in Saudi Arabia. Rubiales was in the Dominican Republic when police raided a property he owns in Granada, and the offices of the Spanish Football Federation in Madrid, as part of a corruption and money laundering investigation. Seven arrests were made, and Rubiales was identified as one of five additional individuals to be investigated.
According to a court official, Rubiales’ lawyer confirmed the former Spanish soccer boss was willing to cooperate with the authorities. Although Rubiales is scheduled to fly back to Spain on April 6, he has agreed to return sooner if a judge requests his presence. The court official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that Rubiales’ lawyer had provided a copy of Rubiales’ plane ticket back from the Dominican Republic. The court has currently not issued an arrest warrant for Rubiales or any other person involved in the case.
Spain’s state prosecutors confirmed that 11 locations were raided in search of documents on Wednesday. These actions follow changes Rubiales made as president of Spanish football in 2020, creating a four-team mini tournament and moving the competition to Saudi Arabia. The deal was said to be worth €40m ($42m) per tournament for the federation.
The investigation into the deal began in 2022 when leaked audio was circulated of conversations between Rubiales and then-Barcelona player Gerard Piqué, discussing millions of dollars in commissions. Piqué’s sports entertainment company, Kosmos, played a role in the deal between the federation and Saudi Arabia. However, a company official stated that no Kosmos employees have been detained or investigated, and no properties associated with the company were raided.
In addition to the investigation into the business deal, Rubiales stepped down from his post in September after an international scandal in which he was accused of kissing Spain player Jenni Hermoso without her consent at the Women’s World Cup final. He is set to face trial for allegedly sexually assaulting Hermoso, however, he has denied any wrongdoing.
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16 Comments
Do you think Rubiales will actually cooperate or just delay the investigation? So shady!
I wouldnt hold my breath for Rubiales to cooperate. Hes all about self-preservation, not transparency. This investigation is just a show to appease the public. Dont expect any real accountability from someone with a track record like his.
Do you think Rubiales will actually return or is this just a show?
I doubt Rubiales will return. Its all smoke and mirrors, a classic power play. Hes probably just trying to save face. Dont fall for the theatrics. Its all a facade to manipulate the situation in his favor.
Should Rubiales face consequences or is this just a witch hunt?
Is Rubiales really coming back or just playing games? Lets see!
Rubiales is always playing games. Cant trust a word he says. Probably just trying to stir up drama as usual. Well see if he actually follows through this time or if its just another empty promise.
Do you think Rubiales will actually return or is this just a publicity stunt?
I highly doubt Rubiales is returning for anything other than a publicity stunt. His track record speaks for itself – its all about the attention for him. Dont fall for the smoke and mirrors.
Do you think Rubiales will actually cooperate or play games with the investigation?
I highly doubt Rubiales will cooperate fully. He seems more interested in playing games than being transparent. Lets see if he surprises us, but I wont hold my breath. Its a shame when those in power prioritize their own interests over integrity.
Is Rubiales really coming back for assistance, or just to save face?
Do you think his return will help or hinder the investigation process?
His return will definitely hinder the investigation process. His involvement will only create more chaos and confusion, making it harder to uncover the truth. Its a step backwards, not forwards.
Cant believe the drama with Rubiales! Wonder what will happen next…🤔
Honestly, Rubiales seems to thrive on chaos. Its like a never-ending soap opera with that guy. Who knows what hell pull next? The only certainty is more drama. Its exhausting to keep up with his antics.