Spain’s former football association president Luis Rubiales has rejected the corruption allegations made against him. The 46-year-old said on Monday (April 29, 2024) after his court hearing in Majadahonda near Madrid that he “never” received money in an “irregular way.”
This was reported by the state television broadcaster RTVE and other media after Rubiales was questioned by the judge responsible for the corruption case, citing judicial circles.
Rubiales was arrested by police on his return to Spain from the Dominican Republic at the beginning of April. The ex-official is suspected, among other things, of having collected illegal commissions in connection with the relocation of the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia.
The public prosecutor is demanding a prison sentence of two and a half years
The public prosecutor’s office is demanding a prison sentence of two and a half years. In addition to Rubiales, the new association head Pedro Rocha and other former officials are also accused of money laundering, commercial bribery, disloyal administration and membership in a criminal organization.
Rubiales, who described his administration between 2018 and 2023 as “very good,” must appear in court once a month. As the AFP news agency reports, citing judicial sources, he must also obtain authorization if he travels outside Spain.
The Spaniard resigned as RFEF boss in September in the wake of the kissing scandal at the 2023 World Cup in Australia, which caused a global stir last summer. He was subsequently banned for three years by the world association FIFA, among others. The official at the time had aggressively kissed player Jennifer Hermoso (33) on the mouth at the award ceremony after winning the World Cup title. The striker contradicted Rubiales’ statement that the kiss was consensual and filed a complaint.