• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Law

Disgraced Ex-Spanish Soccer Chief Raided by Cops in Corruption Probe

  • Spanish police also raided the soccer federation’s offices and arrested at least six people.
  • Police are investigating wrongdoing related to the Super Cup’s move to Saudi Arabia.
Isabel Infantes/Sipa USA via USA TODAY Sports

Police in Spain raided the home of disgraced former soccer federation president Luis Rubiales on Wednesday, investigating potential corruption and money laundering related to the federation’s 2020 deal with Saudi Arabia. The federation’s offices were also raided, and at least six people were arrested, according to the Associated Press.

Rubiales moved the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia in 2020 in a deal that brought in roughly $42 million per tournament for the federation. Prosecutors began investigating two years later after leaked audio recordings between Rubiales and player Gerard Piqué revealed the latter’s involvement in negotiating the tournament’s move. Piqué’s company is set to receive about $26 million over the first six years of the tournament, according to the recordings. “I don’t have anything to hide. Everything we did was legal,” Piqué said after the recordings were published in Spanish media.

Rubiales wasn’t arrested or home when police raided his Granada residence, per the AP. But he is among the five additional people officially being investigated, and his home was one of 11 places raided in a search for documents, the AP reported.

Rubiales was president of the federation from 2018 to September ’23, when he resigned following backlash from kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent on the World Cup stage. FIFA banned him in October from all national and international soccer for three years. A Spanish judge recommended in January that Rubiales stand trial for the incident. The judge also wanted the team’s former head coach and federation’s marketing chief to stand trial for trying to pressure Hermoso to publicly say the kiss was consensual.

This isn’t the first time the Spanish police have raided the federation’s office in the past year. They did so in September as part of an investigation into FC Barcelona’s payments to a former VP of the country’s referee committee.

It’s an ugly series of events for a federation that won its first Women’s World Cup in 2023. The women’s team boycotted play after the World Cup until the federation agreed to make “immediate and profound” structural changes, which included a new committee made up of representatives from the team, federation, and government.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Eric Shanks

World Cup Will Be Fox’s ‘Biggest Undertaking’ Ever

The tournament is expanding from 32 to 48 teams.
Sep 14, 2025; Bridgeview, Illinois, USA; Portland Thorns FC midfielder Olivia Moultrie (13) kicks the ball past Chicago Stars FC defender Sam Staab (3) during the second half of a match at SeatGeek Stadium.

NWSL Beefs Up Media Deal With More CBS, ESPN, Adds Victory+

The NWSL has been locked into its existing deal since last year.
Michelle Wu

Josh Kraft, Son of Patriots Owner, Leaves Boston Mayor Race After First-Round..

He challenged Mayor Wu over her support for White Stadium’s costly renovations.

UEFA Delays Overseas Matches Ruling As LaLiga Miami Game Looms

Barcelona-Villarreal is scheduled for late December at Hard Rock Stadium.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Jon Gruden

NFL Asks Nevada Supreme Court to Rehear Jon Gruden Case

The arbitration fight between Gruden and the league continues.
Blue Jays
exclusive
September 5, 2025

MLBPA, DraftKings Agree to Settle NIL Suit

MLBPA said DraftKings and other sportsbooks improperly used players’ NIL.
Hosszu
September 8, 2025

World Aquatics Reaches $4.6 Million Settlement With Pro Swimmers

Meanwhile, the International Swimming League’s case heads to trial in January.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Nov 9, 2024; Avondale, Arizona, USA; 23XI Racing team owner Michael Jordan during qualifying for the Cup Series championship race at Phoenix Raceway.
September 4, 2025

Jordan Can’t Bar Charter Sales Because NASCAR Agreed Not to Sell Charters

The contentious antitrust suit is slated to go to trial this December.
Feb 2, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue scratches his head after calling a time out as forward Kawhi Leonard (2) walks past in the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena.
September 4, 2025

Kawhi Leonard’s Alleged ‘No Show’ Job Is Latest in Complex Clippers Relationship

Leonard’s high-profile 2019 recruitment continues to generate headlines years later.
Megan Romano
September 4, 2025

The $800 Million Enhanced Games Lawsuit Could Have Legs

Antitrust experts say the case could have some merit.
Oct 15, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; A view of the Fox Sports Southwest logo during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Rockets 123-104.
September 3, 2025

Fox, Hairstylist Settle Bombshell Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

Skip Bayless, Charlie Dixon, and Joy Taylor all denied claims of wrongdoing.