Luis Rubiales former Spanish Football Association President detained upon his arrival at Madrid airport as part of a corruption investigation

Former Spanish football federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales has been detained upon his arrival in Madrid. This shocking development comes as a result of a widespread corruption investigation that has sent shockwaves through the football community in Spain. The warrant for Rubiales’ arrest was initially issued in late March, coinciding with a raid on his property by authorities. However, at that time, he was located in the Dominican Republic, which inadvertently prevented his immediate arrest. According to reports from La Sexta, Rubiales was apprehended by the Guardia Civil upon his return to Spain, being whisked away in a black van.

The corruption investigation at the center of this controversy pertains to the deal that led to the expansion of the Supercopa de Espana into a four-team competition hosted in Saudi Arabia. Rubiales stands accused of allegedly receiving illegal commissions during the negotiations that facilitated this significant transformation. Furthermore, he finds himself among seven individuals under investigation, with prosecutors seeking a substantial two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for his alleged involvement. Adding to the legal woes, Rubiales is also facing the same sentence for an unrelated charge of sexual assault, stemming from an incident involving Spain women’s star Jenni Hermoso after the World Cup final last year.

Given his recent apprehension, the 46-year-old is bracing for the likelihood of standing trial for the corruption charges. However, uncertainty shrouds the timing of these legal proceedings. It remains unclear when the trial for the alleged instance of sexual assault will take place, extending the cloud of uncertainty hanging over Rubiales. Notably, upon his arrival in Madrid from the Dominican Republic, he was promptly detained, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

At this critical juncture, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on the former president as law enforcement authorities endeavor to uncover the truth. With investigators granted 72 hours to question Rubiales, a period of intense scrutiny and interrogation awaits him. It is imperative to note that these developments transpired in the wake of law enforcement officials conducting a search of Rubiales’ home last month, coinciding with a similar operation at the football federation headquarters, ultimately culminating in multiple arrests. The reverberations of these proceedings are resonating far and wide, capturing the attention of football enthusiasts and legal experts alike.