A corruption probe led to the arrest of Luis Rubiales, the former president of Spanish soccer, in Madrid on Wednesday.
The Civil Guard detained Rubiales at Madrid’s airport upon his return from the Dominican Republic. Following his booking, the Civil Guard released Rubiales and scheduled his court appearance for Thursday.
Prosecutors believe Rubiales received unlawful cash while negotiating an agreement to host the Spanish Super Cup competition in Saudi Arabia. He might face up to 30 months in prison if found guilty.
Investigators visited Rubiales’ home in Granada last month as part of an investigation into money laundering and corruption within the Spanish football organization. He’s denied any misconduct.
A Spanish judge determined in January that the Rubiales should face sexual assault charges after kissing Spain’s star soccer player Jennifer Hermoso without her consent during the Women’s World Cup dinner ceremony last year.
Rubiales, one of the world’s most powerful soccer figures at the time, kissed Hermoso after the Spanish women won the World Cup. She has often stated that the kiss was nonconsensual.
At the time, the judge also stated that Spanish national women’s coach Jorge Vilda and two other officials should face trial for attempting to convince Hermoso to defend Rubiales and pretend she approved of the kiss.
