Former Barcelona star Gerard Piqué has strongly denied allegations that he paid kickbacks to Luis Rubiales, the disgraced former president of the Spanish Football Federation, in the controversial deal that moved the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia.
Testifying in a Madrid court on Friday as part of an ongoing corruption investigation, Piqué insisted he had “paid nothing” to Rubiales or anyone from the federation. Legal sources revealed that the ex-defender became emotional and tearful, expressing frustration over the damage the scandal has done to his reputation.
“I am surprised that as of today, there are still leaks,” he reportedly told the court.
A €40M Controversy
The €40 million-a-year deal, which relocated the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia in 2020, was brokered by Kosmos, a company owned by Piqué—while he was still an active player at Barcelona. Authorities believe there may have been illegal financial agreements, including a €4 million annual commission guaranteed to Kosmos.
The case remains in its investigative phase, but a full trial could follow if formal charges are filed.
Rubiales’ Downfall Continues
The controversy surrounding the Super Cup deal is just one of many scandals linked to Rubiales. Just last month, he was found guilty of sexual assault for his forcible kiss on Jenni Hermoso during Spain’s 2023 Women’s World Cup celebrations. Although fined €10,800, he avoided jail time—a ruling that sparked outrage among feminist groups.
With both Hermoso and Rubiales appealing the verdict and prosecutors pushing for a retrial, Spanish football remains entangled in legal battles. Meanwhile, traditionalists continue to oppose the Super Cup’s move to Saudi Arabia, arguing it prioritizes money over the competition’s rich history.
Could this case mark the final chapter in Rubiales’ football downfall—and will Piqué’s reputation ever recover?
