Disgraced ex-Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales arrested in corruption investigation

3 April 2024, 14:36

Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), was arrested on Wednesday
Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), was arrested on Wednesday. Picture: Getty

By StephenRigley

The former president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) has been arrested as part of a corruption investigation.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Luis Rubiales, who is separately due to go on trial for sexual assault for kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the mouth after last summer's World Cup final, was detained on arrival in Madrid from the Dominican Republic.

He was released not long afterwards.

He is suspected oby police of receiving illegal commissions when negotiating for the Spanish Super Cup to be staged in Saudi Arabia. He denies any wrongdoing.

Read more: Police Scotland hit with almost 4,000 complaints in first 48 hours of Humza Yousaf's new hate crime law

Read more: Manhunt launched for three man 'hit squad' suspected of stabbing Iran journalist outside his London home

Spanish police at the arrival's hall at Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas
Spanish police at the arrival's hall at Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas. Picture: Getty

Video footage emerged today showing Mr Rubiales, 46, being escorted into a black police vehicle on the tarmac at the airport in Madrid.

He was arrested just after 10.30am local time at Madrid’s Barajas Airport, shortly after the Air Europa flight from the Dominican Republic landed.

He was later released after questioning.

Reports in Spain suggest he could appear in court tomorrow.

He was in the Dominican Republic when police searched his home last month.

Police also searched Spain’s football federation HQ and made several arrests.

Mr Rubiales was forced to resign over the infamous World Cup kiss but has denied any wrongdoing.

He stepped down in September after causing an international scandal for kissing player Ms Hermoso on Spain's woman's team without her consent during the awards ceremony for the Women's World Cup in August.

He is now facing an upcoming trial for allegedly sexually assaulting Hermoso. He denied any wrongdoing in the Hermoso case.

During his time in charge of Spanish soccer, Rubiales overhauled the format of the Spanish Super Cup in 2020, creating a four-team mini tournament and moving the competition to Saudi Arabia as part of a deal that was reportedly worth 40 million euro (£34 million) per tournament for the federation.

Prosecutors opened a probe of that deal in 2022 following leaked audio between Rubiales and then-Barcelona player Gerard Pique regarding millions of dollars in commissions.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A number of unidentified drones have been spotted over three airbases in Britain, the United States Air Force (USAF) has confirmed.

Security alert after unidentified drones spotted above three US-run RAF bases

Two-thirds of Brits support the assisted dying bill which are set to be voted on in the House of Commons next week.

'Two-thirds support assisted dying bill' poll claims after Justice Secretary expressed concerns about proposals

Russia is prepared to launch a flurry of cyber attacks on Britain and other NATO members to weaken resolve in support for Ukraine, minister Pat McFadden is set to warn the alliance.

Russia 'prepared to bash Britain with massive cyber attack', ministers to warn NATO conference

Exclusive
Singer Kate Nash says she has joined adult content site OnlyFans to sell 'pictures of [her] arse' in an interview with LBC's Natasha Devon.

'Sex work is really empowering': Singer Kate Nash tells LBC why she sells photos on OnlyFans

The UK is on a 'slippery slope to death on demand', Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said in a letter to constituents.

'Slippery slope to death on demand': Justice Secretary details concern over assisted dying debate

Novak Djokovic has appointed Andy Murray as his coach for the Australian Open.

Andy Murray to coach old rival Novak Djokovic at Australian Open after retiring in August

Island nations which are vulnerable to climate change and some African countries have stormed out of COP29 in a row over funding.

Negotiators from climate-vulnerable nations walk out of COP29 in row over funding deals

Putin has said he will fire more of Russia 's new hypersonic missiles at targets in Ukraine

Kremlin warns 'a collision between the nuclear powers' is imminent as West fires missiles into Russia

Coleen Rooney on I'm A Celeb

'Wagatha Christie strikes again': Coleen Rooney uncovers I'm A Celeb secret as she calls out campmates

Chloe Barlow is one of the small business owners who will be affected by the change

'It's a mess': Small businesses hit out at EU red tape set to cost thousands, and say 'government has been no help'

Foreign tourists ride on boat in a river in Vang Vieng

Laos government 'saddened' by deaths of tourists in Vang Vieng which include South London woman

Leading brands are dumping Captain Tom Moore’s daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore

Top brands distance themselves from Captain Tom’s daughter after she cashed in on her father's legacy

Euston station has reopened

Euston station reopens after bomb squad carry out 'controlled explosion'

At least 11 people have been killed and more than 60 injured, Lebanon's health ministry has stated

Huge Israeli air strikes hit residential building in central Beirut, killing at least 11 people

Homebase was waiting on around £5 million of tax rebates before collapsing into administration

Full list of Homebase stores up for sale after chain collapses into administration

Live
Storm Bert has hit the UK

Live: Three dead as Storm Bert claims first victims as two die in car crashed and another is crushed by tree