Former Spanish Football Association (FA) president Luis Rubiales was detained by Spanish investigators upon his arrival at an airport in Madrid, as part of an ongoing corruption investigation involving a £100 million deal.
Rubiales, aged 46, was apprehended after disembarking from a commercial flight originating from the Dominican Republic on Tuesday morning. Investigators met him on the runway, and he was transferred to a police van.
The investigation revolves around a £104 million deal struck between the Spanish FA (RFEF) and Saudi Arabia in 2019. Which aimed to relocate the Spanish Super Cup tournament to Saudi Arabia. Initially a £104 million agreement. The deal involved expanding the tournament to a four-team event and moving it from August to January.
Last month, Rubiales’ apartment in Granada was raided, along with several other locations across Spain. As authorities delve into the financial intricacies of the agreement.
While it remains unclear whether Rubiales is being formally arrested or where he is being taken, Spanish media have been closely following the developments. Rubiales had been residing in the Dominican Republic for the past two months before boarding a flight to Madrid.
Rubiales is also facing separate charges of sexual assault and coercion related to an incident involving Spain star Jenni Hermoso during a trophy presentation after their World Cup win over England last year. Prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year jail term for Rubiales, with a trial anticipated to be held later this year.
Following the incident, Rubiales resigned from his position and faced widespread condemnation. Additionally, FIFA imposed a three-year ban on him.
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