Key Takeaways:
- Gerard Pique testified in court, denying any kickbacks were paid to Luis Rubiales or the Spanish football federation regarding the Saudi Super Cup deal.
- The Spanish Super Cup’s move to Saudi Arabia, brokered by Pique’s company Kosmos, is under investigation for potential corruption.
- The deal is worth 40 million euros annually and has been controversial since its inception in 2020.
- Pique reportedly expressed distress over the reputational damage caused by media coverage of the deal.
- This investigation adds to the already sullied image of Spanish football following Rubiales’ recent sexual assault conviction.
Former Barcelona star Gerard Pique has vehemently denied allegations of paying kickbacks to Luis Rubiales, the $1 of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), concerning the contentious decision to move the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia. Testifying in court on Friday as part of a corruption investigation, Pique, whose company Kosmos brokered the lucrative deal, maintained his innocence amidst swirling suspicions that have further tarnished the reputation of Spanish football.
Pique’s Testimony: Denying Any Wrongdoing
During his court appearance in Majadahonda near Madrid, Pique stated unequivocally that he paid “nothing” to Luis Rubiales or any other member of the Spanish football federation. Legal sources present during the testimony corroborated this account. The investigation had previously highlighted a clause in the contract guaranteeing Kosmos a commission of four million euros per year, raising suspicions of potential illegalities. Pique’s defense centered on the legitimacy of these commissions as payment for his company’s services in brokering the deal, asserting that no part of these funds was intended as a bribe or kickback.
Rubiales’ Shadow and the Tarnished Image of Spanish Football
The investigation into the Super Cup deal further compounds the already damaged reputation of Luis Rubiales and Spanish football as a whole. Rubiales was recently found guilty of sexual assault for forcibly kissing player Jenni Hermoso during the 2023 Women’s World Cup celebrations, a scandal that triggered widespread condemnation and ultimately led to his resignation. The allegations of corruption surrounding the Super Cup move to Saudi Arabia, a decision that also drew criticism from traditionalists for commercializing the sport, add another layer to the controversy. Pique’s emotional testimony, including his reported tears over the “reputational damage,” underscores the significant fallout from these scandals on prominent figures within Spanish football.
Gerard Pique’s denial in court marks the latest development in the ongoing saga surrounding the Spanish Super Cup’s move to Saudi Arabia. While Pique maintains his innocence, the investigation continues, casting a shadow over the lucrative deal and further damaging the already tarnished image of Spanish football under the cloud of Luis Rubiales’ past actions. The outcome of this legal process will undoubtedly have significant implications for all parties involved and for the future governance of Spanish football.