3 apr 2024 om 13:42 Update: 1 uur geleden
Luis Rubiales was arrested on Wednesday upon arrival at the airport in the Spanish capital Madrid, a spokesperson for the Spanish Guardia Civil police unit confirmed. The former president of the Spanish football association RFEF has to appear in court over a corruption case.
Several people were already arrested in the criminal investigation into the awarding of the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia in March. The Spaniard is suspected of having committed fraud during his period as chairman.
Rubiales’ house in Granada and the headquarters of the Spanish association in Madrid were also searched. The former chairman himself was staying in the Dominican Republic at the time. An arrest upon his return to Spain was already taken into account, although it was previously reported that he would land in Madrid on April 6.
According to Spanish law, a suspect may be held for a maximum of 72 hours if no pre-trial detention has been imposed due to flight risk or other reasons.
Corruption case is separate from kissing scandal
Last week, Spanish justice also demanded 2.5 years in prison for Rubiales for the much-discussed kiss he gave player Jennifer Hermoso during the World Cup medal ceremony. The arrest in Madrid is separate from this.
The former chairman was officially charged at the end of January. Investigation revealed that he had not given the controversial kiss with mutual consent.
Rubiales was president of the Spanish Football Federation until September last year. In the aftermath of the kissing scandal, he was suspended by FIFA and the Spanish Court of Arbitration for Sport and had to resign as president of the Spanish association.
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