Money laundering allegations hit Spanish football: Officials arrested

The turmoil within Spanish football persists as police conducted a sweeping operation at the country's football federation offices, resulting in multiple arrests of key figures.

The investigation, prompted by allegations of contract breaches spanning the last five years, was initiated by the Madrid prosecutor's office.

Former federation president Luis Rubiales, who held office during the period under scrutiny, has since stepped down. His resignation follows a FIFA ban prohibiting him from engaging in any football-related activities for the next three years. The ban stemmed from an incident during the Women's World Cup final, where Rubiales was involved in an inappropriate incident with Jenny Hermoso, a player on the victorious Spanish national team.

Despite the crackdown, Rubiales currently resides in the Dominican Republic, with Spanish authorities seeking his extradition to face charges.

In addition to the arrests, police have expanded their investigation into allegations of corruption and money laundering, conducting searches at various locations, including private residences.

Furthermore, authorities are scrutinizing the decision to relocate the Super Cup to Saudi Arabia. This decision was jointly approved by the former federation president and Gerard Piqué, a prominent businessman and former Barcelona footballer.

The ongoing developments underscore the deepening crisis within Spanish football, raising questions about governance and integrity within the sport.

[With information sourced from 24 News]