Former Barcelona and Manchester United defender Gerard Pique is under official investigation by a Spanish court for his alleged role in moving the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia.
Pique’s company, Kosmos, brokered a deal with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to move the tournament, earning 40 million euros (£34m) while the RFEF received 400 million euros (£340m). Judge Delia Rodrigo cited “possible illegalities with criminal implications” in the agreements.
The ex-Spain international, 37, has been formally included among those under investigation. Pique has consistently defended the deal, maintaining its legality and denying any wrongdoing.
The investigation began in 2022 after leaked audio recordings of Pique and then-RFEF president Luis Rubiales emerged. In March, investigators raided RFEF offices, and Rubiales was arrested in April after returning from the Dominican Republic. Rubiales had already resigned from the RFEF in September following a separate incident where he kissed Spain forward Jenni Hermoso after the World Cup final. He faces a trial for sexual assault over this matter.
Pedro Rocha, Rubiales’ successor, is also under investigation regarding the Saudi deal. The Spanish Super Cup moved to Saudi Arabia in 2020 and returned in 2022 after the COVID-19 pandemic. Pique played for Barcelona in two Spanish Super Cup matches in Saudi Arabia before retiring in November 2022.
Credit: BBC Sport
