Former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) captured media attention by immersing himself in the world of NFTs with a project that has generated some controversy.
In the midst of a legal storm, Luis Rubiales – and possibly his cryptocurrencies – are at the center of an investigation for alleged irregular contracts.
The scenario becomes more complex with the recent announcement of his return to Spain on April 6, after a stay in the Dominican Republic.
Last Tuesday, Luis Rubiales could not be arrested during the search of his home in the city of Granada because he had been residing in the Dominican Republic for just over a month. The former president of the RFEF is in the Caribbean country from where he is working after the FIFA sanction where he is prohibited from having any employment relationship with football.
He has declared his innocence from the Dominican Republic, admitting that he never did anything wrong, during an interview for El Español.
Luis Rubiales to Court for Alleged Rigging and Cryptocurrency Operations
The document presented by Rubiales’ lawyer before the judge of the Investigative Court number 4 of Majadahonda reveals the details of his return flight and his total willingness to collaborate with justice.
However, this return occurs in a context marked by the operation of the Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard. Which included searches at his residence in Granada and the federation headquarters.
The accusations Rubiales faces are serious. He is suspected of having participated in the irregular awarding of contracts to the construction company Gruconsa SA. Added to this is an accusation of diverting funds to accounts linked to him and his close circle. On the other hand, it is unknown to what extent cryptocurrencies could have been involved in the contracts.
These operations, according to investigations, could have taken place during his management at the head of the RFEF in the last five years.
The scope of this operation is not limited to Rubiales alone. The arrest of people connected to him, such as his external legal advisor and directors of key services in the Federation, adds an additional layer of complexity to the plot. These arrests suggest an investigation that targets various levels of the Spanish soccer organization.
The shadow of corruption also extends to other sectors, such as the alleged espionage of the president of the soccer players’ union, which involves Ramón Caravaca, administrator of a company related to said illegal act.
Background of Luis Rubiales, Cryptocurrencies and their NFTs
In the past, Luis Rubiales, former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), captured media attention by diving into the world of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) with a project that generated some controversy.
This project, backed by a prominent technology company from the Republic of Korea, sought to pay tribute to the significant role that Rubiales played in the field of Spanish and global football during his tenure at the RFEF.
However, beyond simply being a foray into the cryptocurrency and blockchain technology market, this project raised eyebrows due to its controversial content. The Korean company expressed its position against what they called “feminist radicalism and extremism,” adding an element of discord to Rubiales’ initiative.
The controversy was no stranger to Rubiales, who was already under judicial scrutiny for alleged irregular contracts during his tenure at the RFEF. Combining this investigation of Luis Rubiales with his foray into the cryptocurrency and NFT market added an additional layer of complexity to his situation.
By Leonardo Perez
