Luis Rubiales, accused of corruption and money laundering
Luis Rubiales, former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), is in the eye of the storm after being accused of serious crimes of corruption, unfair administration and money laundering. The Prosecutor’s Office has issued an international arrest warrant for him to return to Spain from the Dominican Republic, where he has been since February 21.
Rubiales has denied the accusations through WhatsApp messages sent to journalist Isabel Rábago, ensuring that she is in the Caribbean country for work reasons and that she has not fled from justice.
The alleged crimes investigated
The investigation focuses on the Spanish Super Cup contracts, which were awarded to Gerard Piqué’s company Kosmos, and on the works carried out at the La Cartuja stadium in Seville. Rubiales’ activities as head of the RFEF are also being investigated, including his relationship with cryptocurrency companies.
The Civil Guard has searched the RFEF headquarters in Las Rozas, Rubiales’ home in Granada and the La Cartuja offices, seizing documentation related to the investigated contracts.
Seven detainees in the area of Rubiales
So far, seven people have been arrested as part of the investigation, five in Madrid and two in Granada. Among those detained are close collaborators of Rubiales, such as his external legal advisor, the legal director of the RFEF and the director of Human Resources.
The RFEF, in the middle of the electoral process
The Management Commission of the RFEF, chaired by Pedro Rocha, had planned to call elections for the presidency, but the records of the Civil Guard forced the meeting to be postponed. Rocha, who had announced his candidacy, could be affected by the investigation process.
Among the possible candidates for the presidency of the RFEF are the journalist Carlos Herrera, the lawyer Eva Parera, the president of the Madrid Federation Paco Díez and the president of the Valencian Federation Salvador Gomar.
The scandal shakes Spanish football
The Rubiales case has generated a great commotion in the world of Spanish football. The investigation calls into question Rubiales’ management of the RFEF and threatens to destabilize the federative body.
The extradition of Rubiales from the Dominican Republic could be delayed, but the Prosecutor’s Office trusts that he will soon return to Spain to give a statement and clarify his involvement in the crimes of which he is accused.
