Times are tough for Luis Rubiales. After his resignation and the forced kiss affair, the former president of the Spanish football federation finds himself at the heart of a new scandal. Financial this time.
At the center of this new affair: the Spanish Super Cup. The competition changed format and was relocated to Saudi Arabia. El Mundo reveals the exchanges – dated September 2019 – between Rubiales and Oscar Grau, CEO of FC Barcelona at the time. The former president of the RFEF reveals his plan and guarantees between “6.8 and 8 million €” to Barça for its participation in the tournament. A promise which visibly appeals to Grau. “I would like to congratulate you on the change of format, because it is good for the promotion of Spanish football, for its broadcasting and also beneficial for the participating clubs. We are looking forward to the details to come in order to plan the activity well. In addition, you will send us the draft contract so that we can review it and proceed with the signing“, he writes.
In these exchanges not the slightest mention of the generous commission paid to Gerard Piqué. Barça player at this period, it should be remembered. The defender would have received 24 million euros for his role as intermediary in the organization of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. Still according to El Mundo, Luis Rubiales designed a plan so that Pique would be paid without the knowledge of the clubs participating in the competition.
Since January 2020 (with the exception of 2021 due to Covid), the Spanish Super Cup is now played in the form of a four-team mini-tournament which takes place in Saudi Arabia in January. FC Barcelona won the last edition against Real Madrid.
