Gerard Piqué Under Investigation for Role in Spanish Supercup Deal with Saudi Arabia
The Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard has concluded that former footballer Gerard Piqué played an active role in the contract that brought the Spanish Men's Supercup to Saudi Arabia. This conclusion follows a report submitted to the First Instance and Instruction Court Number 4 of Majadahonda, where alleged irregularities related to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) under the leadership of former president Luis Rubiales are being investigated.
The Civil Guard has requested that Judge Delia Rodrigo issue a letter rogatory to the Saudi authorities to identify the bank accounts of both Piqué and Rubiales. This action underscores the investigation's seriousness and highlights potential financial misconduct. The report accessed by the news agency Europa Press indicates that the UCO believes crucial information is retained by Saudi authorities that could aid in clarifying the circumstances surrounding the Supercup's relocation.
Piqué was reportedly an integral part of the negotiations involving his representation company, AC TALENT, and the RFEF regarding the hosting of the Supercup. According to the UCO, it appears that Piqué's mediation was more beneficial to the RFEF than to the Saudi public company, SELA, which was initially involved in facilitating the agreement.
The investigation has uncovered communications related to the negotiations, which included discussions about television rights and the event's format. Piqué's efforts extended beyond the Supercup; his collaboration with the RFEF reportedly also involved dealings with other companies, including Japan's Rakuten and the audiovisual project Academy MVP.
An intriguing aspect of this inquiry is the existence of a WhatsApp group established in March 2019, termed 'Supercopa España,' which included Rubiales, Piqué, agency representative Arturo Juan Canales, and RFEF executive Rubén Rivera. While the contents of the messages exchanged within this group have not been disclosed, the UCO suggests that it indicates a heightened interest from the RFEF in the Saudi option as early as that time.
Moreover, the UCO's investigation reveals that modifications to the memorandum of understanding for the Supercup occurred shortly after the WhatsApp group was formed. Previously displayed interest from a Chinese third party for hosting the Supercup was noted, raising concerns about appropriate approvals and due diligence as per the CNMC guidelines.
The pandemic further complicated matters in 2021 when the tournament could not be held as planned. Negotiations for alternative arrangements with SELA were initiated, demonstrating ongoing collaboration among Piqué, Rubiales, and Kosmos, Piqué's company. Ultimately, the RFEF signed appendices to the original contracts that extended the agreement until 2029, ensuring an annual revenue of €40 million and a commission of €4 million for Kosmos.
The revelations outlined in this report mark a significant step in the investigation initiated by the judiciary last May, which sought to unveil the potential criminal conduct tied to the agreements surrounding the Supercup's relocation to Saudi Arabia. As this inquiry progresses, scrutiny of Piqué's involvement and the financial dealings within the RFEF is anticipated to continue, raising further questions about the integrity of sports administration in Spain.
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