Ex-head of association

Suspicion of corruption! Rubiales must stand trial

(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Luis Rubiales, the former head of the Spanish Football Association who is accused of corruption and sexual aggression, must testify in court on April 29.

The judge responsible for the corruption case has summoned Rubiales to the court in Majadahonda near Madrid, the Spanish judiciary announced on Tuesday. Rubiales will then probably be questioned about contracts that may have been concluded irregularly by the RFEF association during his five-year presidency.

The investigators' accusations include corruption in business transactions, unfair administration and money laundering. Rubiales has repeatedly denied all accusations. He has not done any illegal business or made any money outside of Spain, he recently claimed in an interview with the TV station La Sexta. The 46-year-old was detained by the police at Madrid airport last Wednesday on his return home after a stay in the Caribbean and informed of his situation.

Long prison sentence looming
The Spaniard resigned as head of the RFEF in September in the wake of the kissing scandal at the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia, which caused a worldwide stir last summer. He was subsequently banned for three years by FIFA, among others. The then official had kissed player Jennifer Hermoso (33) on the mouth during the award ceremony after winning the World Cup title. The striker contradicted Rubiales' statement that the kiss was consensual and filed a complaint.

The RFEF's possibly irregular contracts include the awarding of the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia, which Rubiales arranged together with former Barcelona professional and current businessman Gerard Piqué. During recent investigations, the offices of the association were also searched and several people were arrested. Rubiales is facing several years in prison in this case and also in the criminal proceedings relating to the kissing affair.