Gerard Pique, former defender for Barcelona and Manchester United, is being officially investigated by a Spanish court for his alleged role in the relocation of the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia.
Pique’s company, Kosmos, brokered a deal with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), securing a payment of 40 million euros (£34 million) for itself and 400 million euros (£340 million) for the RFEF.
Judge Delia Rodrigo indicated that the agreements might contain “possible illegalities with criminal implications.”
The 37-year-old ex-Spain international has now been formally added to the list of individuals under investigation for these allegations. Pique has consistently defended the deal, claiming it was legal and denying any wrongdoing.
The investigation began in 2022 after leaked audio recordings of Pique and then-RFEF president Luis Rubiales surfaced.
In March, investigators raided RFEF offices, and in April, Rubiales was arrested upon returning from the Dominican Republic.
Rubiales had resigned from the RFEF in September after an incident involving a kiss with Spain forward Jenni Hermoso following the World Cup final, for which he faces a separate trial for sexual assault.
Pedro Rocha, Rubiales’ successor, is also under investigation regarding the Saudi deal.
The Spanish Super Cup was first moved to Saudi Arabia in 2020 and returned there in 2022 after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pique participated in two Spanish Super Cups in Saudi Arabia before retiring in November 2022.
Last October, FIFA announced that Saudi Arabia is poised to host the 2034 Men’s World Cup following Australia’s choice not to bid for the tournament’s hosting rights.
