Former Barcelona and Spain defender Gerard Pique has been placed under official investigation over his alleged involvement in illegal payments in the relocation of Spain’s Super Cup to Saudi Arabia. Kosmos, a company run by Pique, brokered the deal to which saw the Spanish Super Cup move to Saudi.
Kosmos under scanner
Spanish judge Delia Rodrigo concluded that there were signs of misconduct in the agreement between Pique’s company, Kosmos, and the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF). Kosmos and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) inked agreements whereby the RFEF would receive 400 million euros (£340 million) and Kosmos would receive 40 million euros (£34 million) for mediating the deal.
“The facts under investigation in the present proceedings originate from possible illegalities with criminal implications in contracting or agreements,” Rodrigo wrote.
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Pique walking on thin ice?
Pique has been formally included in the investigation. Although the former Spanish international has denied wrongdoing in the past, claiming that the deal was ‘legal’.
Following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Spanish Super Cup was moved to Saudi Arabia in 2020 and returned there in 2022. Before retiring in November 2022, Pique represented Barcelona twice in Saudi Arabia during the Spanish Super Cup.