Former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales is set to return to Spain next month for questioning in connection with a corruption probe regarding the relocation of the Spanish Supercopa to Saudi Arabia. While Rubiales was in the Dominican Republic, police conducted raids at his apartment in Granada and the RFEF's headquarters in Madrid.
Although six individuals were arrested, with four subsequently released, Rubiales was placed under investigation, but no arrest warrant has been issued, according to a court official. Despite conflicting reports, Rubiales intends to cooperate with authorities and return to Spain on April 6 with his family.
Amidst these events, Rubiales faces separate legal troubles related to a nonconsensual kiss on midfielder Jenni Hermoso, which led to his resignation as RFEF president. FIFA has banned him from football-related activities for three years, and he is set to stand trial on sexual assault charges. The recent focus, however, revolves around the 2019 agreement orchestrated by former Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué's company Kosmos to move the Supercopa to Saudi Arabia.
This decision, worth a reported €120 million ($131m), stirred controversy among Spanish football traditionalists and led to a judicial investigation into Rubiales' management of the RFEF. While raids were conducted on various premises, including Rubiales' property, and disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against two RFEF directors, Kosmos remains unaffected by the probe.
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