<p>In Spain, a high-profile corruption case is being investigated within the RFEF (Royal Spanish Football Federation). The main figure implicated is Luis Rubiales, the former head of RFEF, who led the Federation from 2018 until August 2023. Alongside him, footballer Gerard Pique (who retired in 2022) has also come under suspicion. On <a href=”https://azbukmeker.com/“>merc sitelari</a> you can bet on football matches, as well as other sporting events.</p>
<h2>How the investigation is going: from the beginning to today</h2>
<p>On March 20th, the Civil Guard of Spain conducted searches at the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) building, as well as in more than 10 homes, including the residence of the former head of the federation, Luis Rubiales.</p>
<p>In September 2023, the Civil Guard approached a judge investigating the agreement with Saudi Arabia, demanding a report from Andorra regarding funds received by Kosmos. The Civil Guard claims that from June 2019 to March 2022, approximately 3.4 million euros were transferred to the Andorra account from the Kosmos company’s account, which received commission payments from the Saudi company Sela for mediating in negotiations about the Spanish Super Cup. The amounts transferred to the club’s account were about a quarter of the commissions, which amounted to about 4 million euros per year.</p>
<p>Experts note that many funds from the Kosmos account, which received payments from the Saudi company, “were transferred to accounts of the same group or related to them.” It is claimed that Piqué could make payments from his accounts to complicate the tracking of fund movements; however, no charges have been brought against the former footballer at this time.</p>
<h2>Rubiales: I’m not guilty, but my accounts have been seized, and I can’t even afford to buy a bottle of cola</h2>
<p>Rubiales was detained on April 3, 2024, at an airport in Spain upon his return from the Dominican Republic. An arrest warrant was issued after searches were conducted at the RFEF building, initiated in connection with a contract involving Saudi Arabia, which allegedly involved the transfer of the rights to host the Spanish Super Cup to that country. There were signs of corruption and money laundering in this deal. According to the contract with Saudi Arabia, the Royal Spanish Football Federation earns €40 million annually.</p>
<p>Rubiales’ detention was short-lived: he was released on the same day. However, all of the former head of RFEF’s bank accounts were frozen.</p>
<p>The former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, denies the allegations of corruption and money laundering.</p>
<p>”I have never entered into any contracts, have you seen the report from the Civil Guard? I am not going to question the work of law enforcement. If they have any doubts, we will clarify them. But nobody has this report. Whatever they find in my house, I will be able to explain how it got there.</p>
<p>However, yesterday my accounts were frozen in the Dominican Republic, and four or five days ago — in Spain. Now all my accounts are frozen. I can’t even afford to buy a Coca-Cola.”</p>
<h2>Piqué is next: the accounts of the former footballer are being investigated</h2>
<p>Along with the former head of the Federation, footballer Gerard Piqué has also come under suspicion. Investigative Court No. 4 in the city of Majadahonda has requested data on 89 bank accounts belonging to former Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué, who is suspected of involvement in corrupt dealings with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). This information was reported by La Vanguardia.</p>
<p>According to sources, in addition to bank accounts, the court has also demanded an analysis of 27 companies owned by the former footballer.</p>
<p>Piqué’s company, Kosmos, acted as an intermediary in awarding the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia. This is one of the most controversial contracts currently under criminal investigation. Therefore, the court intends to inquire about all banking transactions related to the former player’s accounts. Earlier reports in the media suggested that at the time, RFEF President Luis Rubiales was exerting pressure on Riyadh authorities to pay Piqué €24 million for hosting the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia for six years. It was emphasized that if the amount was not paid, the tournament would no longer be held in the country.</p>
