Bad news for Gerard Pique: Under investigation for alleged corruption
Gerard Pique has had a very tumultuous retreat from football since he retired from the game back in 2022. The former FC Barcelona defender is in dire straights as he faces an investigation over Spanish FA corruption allegations.
Gerard Pique has been placed under investigation by the court examining corruption allegations during Luis Rubiales' time as president. According to The Athletic, there are "possible illegalities with criminal implication" regarding commissions received by Kosmos (Pique's company).
Pique alongside the RFEF (Royal Spanish Football Federation) agreed to move the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia, however, the former defender would be earning €4 million (£3.4m/$4.3m) in commissions every year!
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According to the judge, Delia Rodrigo, the events under investigation date back to September 11, 2019, when RFEF and Saudi Arabian authorities agreed to host the Spanish Super Cup there.
According to The Athletic, the agreement stated Kosmos would be paid €4 million (£3.4m/$4.3m) a year as commission and the Spanish FA (RFEF) earns €40m (£34.7m/$43.3m) a year from the deal. The deal would be valid until 2025.
What is truly shocking was Gerard Pique's involvement in the negotiations while playing for FC Barcelona.
The judge blocked the Kosmos company account, in addition to requesting information on another 96 accounts linked to the former FC Barcelona defender.
Spanish authorities are currently investigating all parties involved, as more evidence highlights criminal corruption or even money laundering.
Gerard Pique has kept silent and chose not to comment on the matter. Nevertheless, Pique and Kosmos have insisted the deal was all above board, according to The Athletic.
Time will tell for Gerard Pique, who currently faces steep criminal penalties if he were to be found guilty. He was once a controversial defender on the pitch, and it seems very little has changed since.
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