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Luis Rubiales in Madrid (picture from September 2023)
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Thomas Coex / AFP
The ex-president of the Spanish Football Association, Luis Rubiales, accused by the judiciary of corruption and sexual aggression, was arrested on his return home. Rubiales was taken into custody at Adolfo Suárez Airport on Wednesday by officers from the Guardia Civil (Civil Guard) police unit, state TV broadcaster RTVE and other media reported.
There was initially no official announcement of the arrest. However, when asked by the dpa news agency, a spokesman for the Guardia Civil said that RTVE's report was correct. Rubiales had denied all allegations against him.
After a stay in the Dominican Republic, Rubiales reportedly landed in Madrid on a scheduled flight on Wednesday. He was met by officials at the airport and informed about his situation, according to RTVE.
The trade newspapers “Marca” and “AS” wrote that Rubiales was then taken in a police car to the courthouse in Majadahonda near Madrid. There he was to be questioned by a judge in the matter of allegedly irregular contracts. According to Spanish law, a suspect can be held for a maximum of 72 hours unless pre-trial detention is ordered due to risk of absconding or other reasons.
Rubiales denies all allegations
Rubiales is being investigated over alleged irregular contracts concluded during his five-year presidency of the RFEF football association. Possible crimes in this matter include business corruption, unfair administration and money laundering.
Criminal investigations are also underway in Spain against the 46-year-old because of the kissing scandal at the 2023 World Cup in Australia, which caused a stir worldwide. Rubiales kissed player Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth at the award ceremony after winning the World Cup title. Hermoso disputed Rubiales' statement that the kiss was consensual.
Rubiales resigned as head of the association last September in the wake of the kissing scandal. Because of the affair, he was banned for three years by the world association FIFA, among others. The Spaniard has denied all allegations - including those of corruption. In both cases, the ex-official faces several years in prison. In Spain, prison sentences of up to two years are usually suspended.
ara/dpa