Luis Rubiales, the former president of Spain’s soccer federation, was recently arrested as part of a corruption probe by Spanish police. Rubiales was questioned at Madrid’s airport and released a few hours later. He is expected to be summoned for further questioning by an investigative judge in the coming days. The probe is focusing on business dealings and the federation’s links with Seville’s La Cartuja Stadium, among other deals. Rubiales stepped down as president of the federation in September after causing a scandal for allegedly kissing Spain player Jenni Hermoso without her consent. He is facing a trial for this incident and has denied any wrongdoing.
Rubiales, a former player who became president in 2018, is being investigated for his role in moving the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia and the allegations of corruption. His work in overhauling the format of the Super Cup created a four-team mini-tournament and led to a deal worth millions of euros for the federation. Following leaked audio between Rubiales and then-Barcelona player Gerard Piqué, prosecutors opened a probe into the deal in 2022. Despite the allegations, Rubiales has denied any wrongdoing and claims that the money in his bank account is the result of his work and savings.
Rubiales has played a significant role in Spain’s soccer landscape, working his way up to UEFA vice president and helping secure a joint bid to co-host the 2030 men’s World Cup. However, his reputation has been tarnished by the corruption probe and the scandal surrounding the incident at the Women’s World Cup. His successor and interim federation president, Pedro Rocha, has called for elections to choose new leadership on May 6 in order to leave behind a turbulent period that has damaged the image of Spanish soccer. The federation intends to cooperate with the judicial investigation to address the issues that have plagued the organization.
Despite the controversy surrounding Rubiales, Spain’s Justice Minister Félix Bolaños has expressed confidence in the country’s democratic and judicial institutions. The federation oversees Spain’s men’s and women’s national soccer teams, the Copa del Rey, and various professional and amateur leagues. While the government maintains some oversight of the federation, it cannot name or remove its executives. Rubiales’ decision to move the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia was criticized by women’s and human rights groups due to concerns about Saudi Arabia’s treatment of women and minorities.
Rubiales’ arrest and the ongoing corruption probe have raised questions about the future of Spanish soccer and its reputation internationally. While the internal turmoil within the federation has caused significant damage, the upcoming elections provide an opportunity to select new leadership and rebuild the image of Spanish soccer. The federation’s collaboration with the judicial investigation is seen as a step towards addressing the issues that have plagued the organization and restoring confidence in the integrity of Spanish soccer.
