Spanish police raid country’s football federation offices over corruption allegations

By Alyssa McMurtry

OVIEDO, Spain (AA) - Spanish police raided the headquarters of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and several other locations on Wednesday as part of a corruption investigation.

Spanish daily El Pais reports that 11 locations were registered, including the Granada home of the federation’s former president Luis Rubiales.

Last year, Rubiales made international headlines for kissing player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s women’s team won the World Cup. For that, as well as pressuring her to say she wanted the kiss, he is facing a trial for sexual assault and coercion.

With this new case, Rubiales is also slated to be arrested in Spain, according to La Vanguardia. However, media reports say he is currently in the Dominican Republic.

Several others have been arrested as part of the probe, including Rubiales’ legal advisor Tomas Gonzalez Cueto, according to Spanish news agency EFE.

Local media report that the raids and arrests are related to irregular football contracts, including the move of Spain’s Supercopa to Saudi Arabia.

Authorities have also detected other irregular payments that could be considered corruption.

The RFEF is the governing body of football in Spain. Among its responsibilities, it organizes national cup competitions and manages the country's men's and women's national teams.