Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), appeared in court on Monday to answer questions related to an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption, money laundering, and dishonest administration during his tenure. The four-hour hearing focused on the controversial deal that brought the Spanish Supercopa to Saudi Arabia.
Rubiales, 46, vehemently denied receiving any illegal payments in connection with the Supercopa agreement. This investigation is one of several legal challenges he faces, including a separate criminal inquiry stemming from an incident where he kissed a player on the lips during a celebration. Prosecutors in that case are seeking a 2 1/2 year jail term for Rubiales.
He was arrested earlier this month upon returning to Spain from the Dominican Republic and named a suspect in the corruption probe, which led to police searches of the RFEF headquarters and Rubiales’ residence.
Following his court appearance, Rubiales made a brief statement to reporters, asserting his full cooperation with the investigation. “I’ve answered all the questions that I was asked,” he declared. “If I have to come back again, if the judge says so, I’ll be here, collaborating. Everything being cleared up interests me more than anyone else. In the five years that I was lucky enough to work happily at the federation, our management speaks for itself, financially, and in a sporting sense.”
Rubiales emphasized that he has consistently maintained his innocence and expressed confidence that the legal system will ultimately uphold his claims. He stressed that “there’s never, never been any money received in an irregular way. There have never been any irregular tenders. We’ve always worked with excellence and legality.”
The judge ruled that Rubiales would retain his passport but require permission for any international travel and must report to the court on a monthly basis.
Rubiales also refuted allegations that he paid commissions to former Barcelona and Spain defender Gerard Piqué’s company Kosmos in relation to the Supercopa deal. He defended the agreement, stating that it “saved [Spanish] football” during a financially precarious period caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He further emphasized that the contracts were meticulously reviewed and approved by the RFEF’s compliance and ethics committees.
Rubiales also addressed the controversy surrounding the awarding of a contract for renovation works at La Cartuja Stadium, which often hosts Copa del Rey finals and national team matches, to the company Gruconsa without an open tender process.
It is worth noting that Rubiales resigned from his RFEF presidency last September amidst significant criticism. His successor, former vice president Pedro Rocha, was recently elected unopposed and has also been named a suspect in the ongoing corruption investigation.
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