Luis Rubiales breaks silence as disgraced former Spanish FA president sees house in Dominican Republic raided amid Saudi-linked corruption investigation

As part of an investigation into claims of corruption and money laundering, police have raided the apartment of the Spanish Football Federation's previous president and arrested at least six persons. Rubiales, who made international headlines for his uninvited kiss after Spain won the Women's World Cup and defiant refusal to stand down, was not one of those detained on Wednesday, Spanish police confirmed to the Associated Press. Rubiales was one of five other persons who were formally placed under investigation, according to a source with knowledge of the operation.

Speaking to the media, Rubiales said [via AS]: "I am absolutely surprised by all of this. I have been working here for months, in the Dominican Republic. I've been doing it for more than a month straight. And in fact, my family was going to spend Easter with me."

The raids were connected to an inquiry that was started in 2022 into Rubiales's choice to change the Spanish Super Cup's format and relocate it to Saudi Arabia as part of an agreement that reportedly cost the federation €240 million (£205m/$260) over six years.

The operation on Wednesday, according to Spanish authorities, was a component of a larger probe into claims of money laundering, inappropriate asset management, and corporate misconduct.

Rubiales resigned in September, three weeks after he brought Jenni Hermoso towards him and kissed her on the lips during the medal ceremony at the World Cup in Sydney. The top criminal court in Spain is looking into allegations of coercion and sexual abuse against Rubiales. Rubiales has refuted any misconduct.