In a plot twist straight out of a Netflix true crime series that no one greenlit, former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales was arrested upon arrival in Madrid on Wednesday. His alleged crimes are not what one might expect from a retired sports official unless one expects them to include dubious World Cup conduct and a few conveniently funded jet-set travels.
Rubiales, whose diplomatic skills once included forcibly kissing player Jenni Hermoso during the Women’s World Cup medal ceremony last year, spent part of his retirement in the sunlit corridors of the Dominican Republic. There, he basked in a sort of exile which lacked only the palm-leaf fan and shrimp cocktail, until Spanish authorities issued an international arrest warrant related to a corruption investigation back home. Naturally, he returned to Spain and was promptly greeted at the Madrid airport not with maracas and melodies, but with a firm pair of handcuffs courtesy of the Civil Guard’s anti-corruption unit.
According to multiple Spanish sources far more official than a football-themed podcast, Rubiales’ invitation to this awkward homecoming is linked to an investigation regarding potential financial wrongdoing during his time atop Spain’s football federation. That includes questions about suspicious contracts, eyebrow-raising business deals and whether money really can buy happiness or at the very least a scenic villa somewhere balmy.
The gentle tap on the shoulder that turned into handcuffs stems from a report last month revealing the existence of contracts between the federation and a private company allegedly benefitting a friend of Rubiales. One deal includes the Supercopa being handed over on a golden platter to Saudi Arabia in exchange for considerable funds and, reportedly, zero moral compass.
Though the kiss scandal ignited global outrage and Rubiales eventually resigned from his post last September claiming he was the victim of “false feminists” and “social assassination” which is definitely a take, he has now found himself entangled more deeply in the things that tend to interest prosecutors far more than pundits.
Rubiales denies any wrongdoing, though history has shown that innocence is a popular claim during booking procedures.
Hermoso later testified that the kiss was unsolicited and that she felt violated, leading to a separate legal case for sexual assault still in progress. Rubiales, who may soon be asking for legal advice more often than tactical football analysis, maintains the kiss was mutual. The courts, one suspects, will have the final say on whether that constitutes affection or public relations disaster.
As of now, Rubiales has been released after giving a statement to police, though his luggage may carry more baggage metaphorically than physically.
Another day, another man learns that retiring in peace requires fewer headlines and zero arrest warrants.