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Luis Rubiales released after arrest on corruption charges over Super Cup competition

Former Spanish Football Federation president detained on arrival from Dominican Republic

Luis Rubiales during his speech at the RFEF EGM on August 25, 2023
Luis Rubiales during his speech at the RFEF EGM on August 25, 2023 / Esport 3 broadcast
Catalan News

Catalan News | @catalannews | Madrid

April 3, 2024 06:58 PM

April 3, 2024 06:59 PM

The former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, was released after being detained and giving testimony in Madrid on corruption charges on Wednesday. 

Rubiales was traveling from the Dominican Republic to Madrid's airport, where he was arrested on charges of receiving illegal commissions when negotiating the contract to bring Spain's Super Cup competition to Saudi Arabia. 

Spanish TV broadcaster La Sexta recorded the moment Rubiales was detained by the Spanish Guardia Civil police when disembarking from the plane in Madrid Barajas airport. 

The former head of the RFEF is expected to testify in court on Saturday, after police read his rights and accessed his mobile devices. 

He is under investigation for several crimes, including being part of a criminal organization, business corruption, and money laundering. 

The contracts to take the Spanish Super Cup to the Middle East country were reached by a company owned by Gerard Piqué, former FC Barcelona player. 

Jenni Hermoso kiss 

Luis Rubiales is pending trial on sexual assault and coercion after he kissed football player Jenni Hermoso during the Women's World Cup final celebrations without her consent. 

The public prosecutor is seeking two-and-a-half years in prison, but he has denied any wrongdoing. 

The incident caused international outrage

Rubiales released an apology video soon after which drew criticism for its apparent lack of sincerity. It later emerged that Rubiales pressured Hermoso to appear in the video alongside him.  

Luis Rubiales hugging Jenni Hermoso at the World Cup final medal ceremony, August 20, 2023
Luis Rubiales hugging Jenni Hermoso at the World Cup final medal ceremony, August 20, 2023 / RFEF

Spanish team manager Jorge Vilda also pressured Hermoso's family up to three times for the same reason. 

Rubiales claimed the kiss was consensual and refused to resign while railing against "false feminism" trying to "socially assassinate" him. 

Hermoso denied that the kiss was consensual in a personal statement and said she felt the victim of an assault after RFEF released multiple statements brandishing her a liar. 

Rubiales was provisionally suspended by FIFA on August 26.