Barcelona and Spain legend Gerard Pique is set to appear in court on March 14 as part of a corruption investigation related to the Spanish Super Cup’s relocation to Saudi Arabia. A legal document obtained by AFP on Friday revealed that Pique, who owns the Kosmos company, brokered the lucrative deal worth 40 million euros ($41.2 million) annually. This deal, established while Pique was still playing for Barcelona, involved moving the Super Cup to the oil-rich Gulf nation from 2020.
The investigation raises concerns over potential illegalities, including a clause that guaranteed a four-million-euro annual commission to Kosmos. The court has noted that the deal could have criminal implications. This case has further tarnished the reputation of Spanish football, with disgraced former federation chief Luis Rubiales—who was in charge when the deal was struck—also under investigation.
Rubiales has defended the legality of the Super Cup’s move to Saudi Arabia, while Pique has maintained that everything was above board, expressing pride in the agreement.
