Former Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales arrested upon arrival in Spain

The former president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, was arrested on arrival at Madrid airport on Wednesday.

The 46-year-old Rubiales will receive, according to the newspaper El Pais a subpoena to testify before a judge. Other Spanish media reported that he was taken to a courthouse in a police car. There, a judge would question him in a corruption case surrounding the awarding of the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia. That country has been hosting the tournament since 2020, which is divided into two semi-finals and a final. The Saudis would pay around 40 million euros a year for the organization. Former top footballer Gerard Piqué’s Kosmos Holding acted as an intermediary in the deal.

READ ALSO. Spanish public prosecutor asks for 2.5 years in prison for Luis Rubiales after infamous kiss at the Women’s World Cup

Spanish law allows a suspect to be held for up to 72 hours if no pre-trial detention has been ordered due to risk of flight or other reasons.

Dominican Republic

Several people were arrested in the same case last month. Rubiales’ home in Granada and the Spanish federation’s headquarters in Madrid were also searched. The former chairman was staying in the Dominican Republic at the time. His arrest was already taken into account upon his return to Madrid.

The Public Prosecution Service in Spain also demanded 2.5 years in prison for Rubiales last week for the much-discussed kiss during the Women’s World Cup. The former chairman was officially charged at the end of January. An investigation revealed that the controversial kiss Rubiales gave on the mouth of soccer star Jennifer Hermoso during the World Cup medal ceremony in August was not consensual.

READ ALSO. Spanish police will likely arrest Luis Rubiales in corruption case in early April