Spanish police briefly arrested former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) head Luis Rubiales on Wednesday.

The arrest was made as part of an investigation into alleged corruption. 

Rubiales was detained on arrival in Madrid from the Dominican Republic and was released soon after.

He is suspected of receiving illegal commissions when organising a deal to stage the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, contracts for which are worth 40 million euros a year.

Prosecutors are looking for a two and a half year jail time, with Rubiales denying any wrongdoing. 

The arrest comes just weeks after investigators searched 11 locations as part of the probe, including the RFEF’s Madrid headquarters and Rubiales’ Granada home.

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Judicial sources reportedly told Radio France Internationale these raids are in connection with ”an investigation linked to presumed crimes linked with corruption in business, fraudulent administration and money laundering.”

The day after the raids, the RFEF terminated contracts with its legal director Pedro Gonzales, head of human resources Jose Javier Jimenez, and its law firm, ran by Tomas Gonzalez Cueto.

All three were arrested during the raids.

Rubiales stepped down as head of RFEF in September following the Women’s World Cup final and Spain’s win.

The 46-year-old kissed one of Spain’s forwards, Jenni Hermoso, on the mouth last summer leading to widespread anger and upset.

He is set to face to trial for sexual assault and was forced to resign over the incident, but has denied any wrongdoing. 


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