Gerard Piqué has been accused of colluding with national football chiefs over a £3.3 million-a-year deal he receives from the Spanish Super Cup’s controversial switch to Saudi Arabia.
The Spanish football federation reportedly included two clauses in a contract with Riyadh authorities to ensure the Barcelona defender’s company, Kosmos, will get £19.9m (€24m) in total.
According to leaked 2019 messages obtained by the website El Confidencial, Luis Rubiales, president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), then tried to hide the player’s participation in the deal.
Saudi Arabia’s human rights record has been a major point of contention since the RFEF struck its deal until 2029, previously believed to be worth £24.9m (€30m) a year. Now, according to the El Confidencial report, it appears the RFEF signed a contract that guaranteed them £33.2m (€40m) for each edition, with Kosmos receiving £3.3m (€4m) annually for six years.
In one recording of a voice message exchange from 2019, Piqué responded to Rubiales’ suggestion that Real Madrid would not play outside of Spain for anything less than £6.6m (€8m).
“If it’s about money and [Real Madrid] would go for €8m, then they get paid €8m and Barcelona get paid €8m too, then the others get paid €2m and €1m,” Piqué reportedly said. “That’s €19m and you, the federation, keep €6m. We could even push Saudi Arabia for more, saying that if not then Real Madrid might not come. Rather than you hosting in it Spain where you won’t even make €3m, think about this.”
The involvement of Piqué in the deal could be deemed a potential conflict of interest given he remains on the playing staff at Barcelona. The club and the RFEF have been contacted by Telegraph Sport for comment.
According to the El Confidencial report, a voice message was sent to Piqué when the deal was agreed, with Rubiales congratulating the Barcelona player. “Well done Geri and I’m not talking about your great game and goal yesterday,” the RFEF president started. “I’m referring to the fact that the agreement is signed with Saudi Arabia.
“Thanks for everything and I’m here for whatever you need.”
After that message was reportedly sent on September 15, 2019, the first edition of the tournament in Saudi Arabia was held the following January. Real Madrid won it, with Atlético Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia also participating.
