Rubiales denies wrongdoing when questioned in probe into Saudi Arabia deal for Spanish Super Cup

By: Joseph Wilson, The Associated Press Posted: 9:56 AM CDT Monday, Apr. 29, 2024

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Luis Rubiales, the former president of Spain’s soccer federation, denied any wrongdoing Monday when he was questioned by an investigating judge as part of her probe into alleged corruption related to staging the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/04/2024 (883 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After hearing his testimony, the judge ordered Rubiales to appear once a month in person at the courthouse and to ask the court for permission if he wants to leave the country.

“I am convinced that justice will be served,” Rubiales told reporters after four hours inside the Madrid court. “Never was any money exchanging hands in an irregular manner.”

The former president of Spain's soccer federation Luis Rubiales arrives at the National Court in Madrid, Spain, Monday, April. 29, 2024. Rubiales will testify on Monday as a defendant for alleged corruption during his time at the head of the organization. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Rubiales stepped down as president of the federation in September after causing an international scandal for kissing Spain player Jenni Hermoso without her consent at the Women’s World Cup final. He is facing a separate trial over that incident after being accused of sexual assault but has also denied any wrongdoing in that case.

In the case related to the Super Cup, Rubiales was arrested earlier this month on his return from the Dominican Republic but was quickly released while remaining under investigation.

During his time as president of Spanish soccer, Rubiales overhauled the format of the Spanish Super Cup in 2020, creating a four-team mini tournament and moving the competition to Saudi Arabia as part of a deal that was reportedly worth 40 million euros (then $42 million) per tournament for the federation.

Prosecutors opened a probe of that deal in 2022 following leaked audio between Rubiales and then-Barcelona player Gerard Piqué regarding millions of dollars in commissions.

The probe is investigating other officials and workers at the federation, including Rubiales successor, Pedro Rocha.

The judge issued an order to freeze assets in a bank account belonging to a company owned by Piqué. Piqué is not under official investigation.

Spain’s governmental sports authority said last week that it was stepping in to supervise the federation to protect the reputation of Spanish soccer. Spain is set to co-host the 2030 men’s World Cup with Portugal and Morocco.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer