The former president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, denied in court on Monday that he received money irregularly during his mandate between 2018 and 2023, in particular for the transfer of the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia.
“What I confirm and will always maintain – and I am confident that justice will be done – is that there was never any money obtained illegally, I never accepted any ‘wrong offers,'” he said as he left court. Mahadahondas on the outskirts. Madrid.
The contracts in question relate to the transfer of the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia, allegedly with large commissions paid to the intermediary company Kosmos, owned by former Barcelona player Gerard Pique, from which he later received money.
Similarly, authorities are investigating possible irregularities in the reconstruction of the Olympic stadium in Seville, which was handed over to the firm Grukonsa, which is also the subject of an investigation.
In this regard, he recalled that, as a private enterprise, the federation could hire any company at its discretion: however, he admitted that he asked the regional government for “some money” to help with the work.
“I approached the judge, as well as the prosecutor’s office and my lawyers, I answered all the questions they asked me. I was interrogated for more than four hours. My main interest is for everything to become clear,” he said. emphasized.
Rubiales was briefly detained at Madrid airport on April 3 upon returning from the Dominican Republic as the scandal erupted in Spain.
The former leader is accused of commercial corruption, money laundering, fraudulent management and membership of a criminal organization, as are his successor at the head of the federation, Pedro Rocha, and several former directors of the organization.
“We have always worked with the highest quality and within the law,” assured the former leader of the federation.
The incident even prompted the Spanish government to take control of the football federation “in the interests” of the country, which, along with Portugal and Morocco, is one of the organizers of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Rubiales described his management between 2018 and 2023 as “very good” and understands that the contracts that allowed the Super Cup to be transferred to Saudi Arabia “saved football” in his country.
He was able to keep his passport, but he will have to appear in court every month and ask for judicial permission whenever he intends to leave Spain.
In addition to these corruption cases, Luis Rubiales also faces a sentence of two and a half years in prison for kissing soccer player Jenny Hermoso without consent after the 2023 Women’s World Cup final in Spain.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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