Spanish prosecutors probe Super Cup contracts after leaks
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spanish state prosecutors have opened an investigation into the contracts behind the nation’s Tremendous Cup soccer matches in Saudi Arabia following leaked audio between the president of the federation and participant Gerard Piqué concerning tens of millions of {dollars} in commissions.
The state prosecutors’ workplace advised The Related Press on Thursday that an anti-corruption investigation had been initiated not too long ago.
The probe comes roughly a month after an on-line Spanish newspaper printed stolen audio information of conversations between Piqué and Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales. The audio revealed that Piqué helped to negotiate a 24 million euro ($25.3 million) commission to take the Spanish Tremendous Cup to Saudi Arabia.
Piqué’s firm, Kosmos group, would have pocketed 4 million euros ($4.2 million) per event from the Saudi organizers for negotiating the six-year settlement, based on El Confidencial newspaper, which launched the audio in April.
Piqué, who has performed in two Tremendous Cups in Saudi Arabia for Barcelona, has denied any wrongdoing or battle of curiosity. The federation, which is run by Rubiales, has additionally stated there was nothing unlawful within the transactions.
The probe might result in a judicial investigation after which a doable courtroom case if proof of wrongdoing is discovered.
The federation overhauled the format of the Tremendous Cup in 2020, making a four-team mini event and shifting the competitors to Saudi Arabia as a part of a deal that was reportedly price 40 million euros ($42 million) per event for the federation.
The investigation was began in response to a criticism filed by Miguel Ángel Galán, the president of the Nationwide Heart for the Coaching of Soccer Coaches.
On listening to of the official probe, the Spanish soccer federation introduced that it contacted the state prosecutors’ workplace for anti-corruption “to facilitate any documentation that’s required or make clear any questions.”
“I’m calm as a result of I’ve not achieved something unlawful,“ Rubiales stated Wednesday on the Europa League last in Seville. ”I’ve all the time labored laborious for Spanish soccer.”
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