Spanish police searched the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) headquarters and its former president Luis Rubiales’ home amongst different places as a part of an investigation into alleged corruption and different crimes, judicial sources mentioned Wednesday.
According to Spanish media the operation is a part of a court docket investigation into contracts signed by former federation chief Rubiales to take the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia.
The contracts signed are price 40 million euros a yr ($43.3 million) and had been organized with former footballer Gerard Pique’s firm Kosmos performing as an middleman.
The operation concerned searches of varied places throughout Spain in addition to the RFEF’s base in Las Rozas, on the sting of Madrid, and Rubiales’ property in Granada, though the 46-year-old is presently outdoors of Spain.
Rubiales stepped down in shame in September after forcibly kissing Women’s World Cup star Jenni Hermoso to impress worldwide outrage, following Spain’s triumph within the Sydney last in August.
Police acted in “an investigation linked to presumed crimes linked with corruption in business, fraudulent administration and money laundering”, mentioned judicial sources.
The sources mentioned that seven arrests had been anticipated within the operation in addition to 5 additional folks investigated, whereas 11 houses could be searched.
Spanish media mentioned no arrests had been made on the federation’s headquarters, the place the Spanish nationwide crew is presently based mostly forward of upcoming friendlies towards Colombia on Friday in England and Brazil on subsequent Tuesday in Madrid.
“I had no idea about (the police operation), we trained as normal,” mentioned Spain and Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
The Spanish Super Cup passed off for the primary time in Saudi Arabia in 2020.
After the next version returned to Spain due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the following three competitions had been again in Saudi Arabia.
Spanish prosecutors opened a probe in 2022 into the Super Cup deal after audio recordings between Rubiales and Pique had been leaked through which they spoke of multi-millions worth commissions.
Rubiales has all the time defended the legality of the deal to take the Super Cup to the oil-rich Gulf state.
“If there is any type of commission, Kosmos will get it from Saudi Arabia — the federation has not paid, is not paying and will not pay a single euro in commission to anyone for this deal,” Rubiales mentioned in 2022.
Former Barcelona and Spain defender Pique mentioned in April 2022 “everything is legal” and that he was “proud” of the deal.
Source: www.anews.com.tr