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Former FC Barcelona defender and savvy businessman Gerard Piqué recently found himself trading the pitch for the courtroom. On March 14, 2025, he appeared before the Court of First Instance and Investigation No. 4 of Majadahonda. The reason? Allegations of irregularities surrounding the transfer of the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia.
Back in 2019, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) inked a deal to host the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia for a decade, raking in €40 million annually. Piqué's company, Kosmos, played the middleman, reportedly securing a €4 million yearly commission for their efforts. This arrangement has now come under legal scrutiny, with investigators probing potential corruption and money laundering.
Piqué's Defense: Show Me the Receipts
In his defense, Piqué presented 15 invoices totaling over €11 million, issued by Kosmos to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAAF). These invoices, dated from July 18, 2022, to January 15, 2025, aim to demonstrate a legitimate contractual relationship between Kosmos and the SAAF.
During his two-hour testimony, Piqué maintained his innocence, denying any illicit payments to former RFEF president Luis Rubiales or the federation itself. He emphasized that the commissions earned by Kosmos were standard for such deals. However, the weight of the allegations took an emotional toll, and Piqué reportedly broke down in tears, lamenting the significant reputational damage he's suffered due to the media's portrayal of the case, per El Pais.
The Bigger Picture: A Game of Allegations
The investigation doesn't stop with Piqué. Former RFEF presidents Luis Rubiales and Pedro Rocha are also under the microscope for their roles in the Super Cup's relocation. Authorities are delving into possible corruption, administration fraud, and money laundering within the federation.
Despite the legal challenges, Piqué stands by his involvement in the deal. He asserts that the agreement might never have materialized without his intervention, given the existing tensions between the league and the federation at the time. Piqué believes that his efforts benefited the RFEF and bolstered the Spanish football industry as a whole.
Final Whistle: What's Next?
As the investigation continues, Piqué's legal team remains committed to clearing his name. The court will assess the evidence presented, including the invoices and testimonies, to determine whether any misconduct occurred.
For now, Piqué awaits the next phase, hopeful that his legacy will remain untarnished.
On the other side of the world, his ex and the mother of his two sons, reportedly spent the night in the mansion she shared with her ex, Antonio De la Rúa, in Uruguay. Shakira is on the move again after soaking up the Uruguayan sun in Punta del Este.
But here's the kicker: while in Punta del Este, she wasn't staying at just any luxe hideaway, as she was reportedly crashing at La Colorada, a countryside mansion belonging to her ex, Antonio de la Rúa.
Of course, no Shakira-Piqué update would be complete without a little tension. According to Jordi Martín, Piqué isn't happy regarding how much his ex is pouring her heart (and some lyrical shade) into her performances. He's reportedly confronted Shakira, asking her to ease up for the sake of co-parenting, of course.
The drama allegedly made Shakira land in the hospital from stress after an argument with him.