Investigators await the return of Rubiales in an operation that leaves five detainees in Madrid and two in Granada

MADRID, 20 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The operation of the Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard for possible corruption in the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has left five detainees in Madrid and two others in Granada, awaiting the possible return to Spain of Luis Rubiales, since the commission of crimes during his time as head of this sports institution is being investigated.

As investigation sources have confirmed to Europa Press, the Prosecutor's Office will request an arrest warrant for Luis Rubiales if he does not return from the Dominican Republic, although the forecast is that the former president of the RFEF will return to Spain soon.

Rubiales was not in Spain while the agents have carried out seven arrests and eleven searches, including one at the home of the former president of the RFEF in Granada and another at the federation's facilities in Las Rozas (Madrid).

Among those arrested are former collaborators of Rubiales such as Tomás González Cueto and Pedro González Segura, as confirmed by sources in the case, who also confirm that José Javier Jiménez and Ramón Caravaca are among those detained. There are also five people under investigation.

The agents are investigating the alleged irregularities in the contracts to play the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. They have also requested information on construction contracts at the La Cartuja stadium in Seville within the framework of the judicial investigation into possible corruption and money laundering that affects Luis Rubiales' time as head of RFEF.

Specifically, these would be contracts for works to be undertaken in La Cartuja but unrelated to the celebration of the major competitions held in this stadium in the Andalusian capital that hosts, among others, the matches of the Spanish Soccer Team.

Sources from the Tourism Department of the Junta de Andalucía have also confirmed that the UCO has requested information about these contracts related to the La Cartuja stadium.

The request for information has been made within the framework of the proceedings ordered by the Court of First Instance and Instruction number 4 of Majadahonda (Madrid) for alleged criminal acts associated with corruption in business, unfair administration and money laundering between 2018 and 2023, when Luis Rubiales was in charge of the RFEF.

The judge investigates allegedly irregular contracts such as the one that brought the Spanish Soccer Super Cup to Saudi Arabia, in an agreement mediated by Gerard Piqué, former FC Barcelona soccer player and president of the Kosmos company.

Rubiales was at the head of the RFEF between 2018 and 2023, a position from which he resigned after the player Jennifer Hermoso filed a complaint for the kiss he gave her on the mouth at the celebration of the Women's World Cup that Spain won. The former manager was also vice president of UEFA during that time.

Police proceedings are being carried out in coordination with the Special Prosecutor's Office against Corruption and Organized Crime. In addition, it has support from EUROPOL and is carried out in several provinces.