Stuck in the middle is Lionel Messi, who reportedly agreed to participate in the “scam” and requested that confidentiality be highly maintained throughout the whole process.

The report indicates that for three months, Piqué and Messi negotiated with UEFA and Rubiales, with damning audios explaining how the funds would be diverted from TV broadcast rights and how Aleksander Ceferin “favored” Barcelona over Real Madrid, noting his disdain for Real Madrid President Florentino Perez.

New Developments

Since the publication of The Objective article, sources from both UEFA and the Spanish FA spoke with El Español on Wednesday evening. They indicated that in the meeting between Messi and Ceferin, Messi conveyed the urgency of creating a fund primarily intended for the neediest players, and he expressed that he would prefer “not to get paid if there is no money to help everyone.”

The sources also indicated that the creation of these funds is perfectly legal, as FIFA agreed with FIFPro, the union for all soccer players around the world, on the creation of a similar fund during the pandemic to provide financial assistance to those players to whom the clubs owe contractual payments and who do not have the opportunity to receive them.

The sources indicate that the fund was never created by UEFA, and the players eventually negotiated with Barcelona for subsidiary payments. Messi and Piqué, along with some of their teammates, reached an agreement with Barcelona but are said to still be owed part of said payments.

Since the audios were leaked, disgraced former Spanish FA President Luis Rubiales has declined to make statements to El Español.

During the pandemic, the Spanish FA received 200 million euros from UEFA. The funds were distributed equally to each federation in the region. The funds were reportedly used to pay for medical supplies, such as masks, and overdue salaries, with the use of the money needing to be accounted for to FIFA.

According to The Objective, players from FC Barcelona, in conjunction with Rubiales and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, devised a plan to funnel funds through the Spanish federation and UEFA to alleviate the 70% pay cut the Barcelona squad had endured.

The discussions between Luis Rubiales and Gerard Piqué began in April 2020, when the defender expressed Messi’s concern with the wage reductions due to the pandemic. Rubiales then relayed the concerns to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and suggested using UEFA funds to compensate the players during the pandemic. The former Spanish federation president also demanded strict confidentiality, as expressed by Lionel Messi.

The scheme

The report indicates that for three months, Piqué and Messi negotiated with UEFA and Rubiales to divert around 30 million euros from Nyon to compensate for the salary losses suffered by several Barcelona players.

Everything started accelerating on June 15, 2020, with a message from Rubiales to Gerard: “We need to revisit the issue of the funds or at least get the 30 million… to make them available to you.”

“Geri, I have a silly idea but it might work. It could be good if you (Piqué) and Leo (Messi) send a signed jersey to Ceferin… He has hinted that he doesn’t like Madrid, that he prefers Barça…,” stated Rubiales.

The Objective also revealed that four videoconferences took place where Messi was present, prioritizing that nothing was leaked.

Rubiales proposed to UEFA the diversion of 4% of the broadcast rights from all the entity’s matches for some players. This was a formula to mitigate the salary reductions that footballers were facing during the pandemic. Until May 2021, The Objective revealed new audios with conversations showing Ceferin as a potential ally of the Barça players and also the former president of the RFEF as the messenger among all parties.

“I’m saying this because he told me that next week he’s going to make a proposal… He is very cautious, but with you he has loosened up and started talking badly about Florentino Pérez and your president (Bartomeu), but he has hinted that he no longer wants Real Madrid and prefers Barcelona,” more excerpts from conversations between Piqué and Luis Rubiales about the operation.

Penalties

In Article 430 of the Spanish Penal Code, the penalties and sanctions for influence peddling in the Iberian Peninsula range from six months to two years in prison for the most severe cases.

It can also result in suspensions from official duties and economic fines ranging from the amount to double the benefit sought or obtained by those convicted.

Messi’s involvement

The Objective asserts that the Argentine was the most interested in keeping all these conversations absolutely confidential. The outlet indicates that the legal sources consulted describe a scheme that, if it had come to light in 2020, would have been “questioned from a legal and ethical standpoint.”

Rubiales was released after being stopped by authorities as he returned from a trip from the Dominican Republic. Some of the charges stem from illegal commissions taken while negotiating a major deal to play the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.

For all the charges mentioned above, Spanish prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year jail sentence. As has become the norm for Rubiales he denies the charges presented.

Luis Rubiales disgraced former Spanish Football Federation president

It has been reported by RTVE that Luis Rubiales is due to appear in court as early as Thursday. Police had searched the home of the disgraced president last month in hopes of finding evidence in the corruption case.

Rubiales is also facing charges of sexual assault which dates back to the FIFA Women’s World Cup which saw the former president force a kiss from player Jenni Hermoso.

The Spanish Women’s national team banded together and publicly denounced the actions of Rubiales, who had also, according to eyewitnesses, had grabbed his genitals from a VIP box during a game.

On 30 October 2023, Rubiales was banned by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee from engaging in any football-related activities at both national and international level for a period of three years.

Hermoso spoke to GQ magazine where she admitted having gone to counseling after the ordeal which tainted Spain’s Women’s World Cup, Hermoso also admitted that he received threats during her disclosure of Luis Rubiales.

Rubiales is currently facing criminal charges over forcing a kiss on Jenni Hermoso, who opened up for the first time.

Jenni Hermoso on Luis Rubiales

“I have had to suffer the consequences of an act that I did not provoke, that I did not choose and that was not premeditated. I have received threats, and this is something that you never get used to”, Hermoso told GQ.

“These past weeks have been very difficult but thanks to my psychologist, I feel strong, and I am not defeated, and I don’t have thoughts about quitting football. I am not disenchanted.”

“I don’t know if life had this in store for me or not, but it has made me see everything in a different way and realize that although I have reached the top in my sports career, there is much more.

“I’m going to learn to take advantage of this story positively to fight for what I believe is good for society.”

Jenni Hermoso’s career

Jenni Hermoso, 33, began her career at Atlético Madrid, and had stints at various clubs such as Rayo Vallecano, Barcelona, PSG, and currently plays in Mexico for Pachuca.

With Spain Hermoso has 52 goals in 106 caps and she has won 18 titles in her career between club and country.

One of those was Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas. However, in the last few weeks, Hermoso remained silent even as her name was all over social media as the scandal grew.

Now, during the induction ceremony at the World Soccer Hall of Fame in Mexico, Hermoso finally decided to talk about the situation. It was an extraordinary message.

Jenni Hermoso delivers emotional speech at World Soccer Hall of Fame

Jenni Hermoso received a special award at the induction ceremony of the World Soccer Hall of Fame at Pachuca. In her acceptance speech, she made her first live public statement regarding the big controversy with Luis Rubiales.

“I want to tell the world: it’s over. I’m Jenni Hermoso, soccer player and I’m that girl who became World Champion. We sacrificed joy and some celebrations and, without deserving it, we suffered too much in a historic moment for all of us. However, I’m convinced we have a big responsibility with the new generations.”

According to Hermoso, their triumph at the World Cup was the only way to show the terrible situation lived by female players of the national team. That’s why it will serve as an example.

“We weren’t champions just to lift a trophy. We were World Champions because that was the only way to be heard, respected and valued. I’m sure millions of girls around the world have identified themselves with us and feel protected thanks to this courageous group of players.”

Furthermore, Jenni Hermoso admitted there are a lot of challenges ahead. “To all those who haven’t been heard, I want to tell you that this is everyone’s fight. We win on and off the field to make sure we have an inclusive sport and society which protects all of us.”

Luis Rubiales who received worldwide disdain for force kissing Jenni Hermoso during the Spanish women’s national team’s FIFA World Cup celebrations. Not only that, a history of abusing his power, drinking, and inappropriate remarks began to come to light, painting Rubiales horribly.

When it was all set and done Rubiales was forced out of his position, and Spanish state prosecutors have accused him of sexual assault and coercion for kissing Hermoso.

If found guilty, what sentence would Luis Rubiales face?

If found guilty by the Spanish court, Rubiales could face a fine or a prison sentence of one to four years. More witnesses are set to testify during the week with Jenni Hermoso being called in to testify shortly.

The Spanish high court currently has a restraining order against Rubiales, as a measure to not contaminate the testimonies of all involved the Spanish high court ordered Rubiales to have no contact with Hermoso or come within 200 meters of her.

One of the most damning pretrial testimonies came from Rubiales’ own family, in speaking to El Confidencial Juan Rubiales, Luis´uncle, stated, “[Luis Rubiales] is a proud, arrogant person and his great enemy is himself. … He doesn’t have the slightest dignity to get out of this trance in an honorable way. And what he has done is to embarrass this situation more and more every day. He is a person with a tendency to cowardice. He is a cowardly man.”

FIFA had already suspended Rubiales for his behavior and Hermoso filed charges for the incident. Jorge Vilda was fired as coach and Montse Tome took over, but, the reigning champions aren’t happy.

Now, in a very controversial statement, Alexia Putellas spoke for the first time about some examples of the bad treatment they had to endure during the last years.

Alexia Putellas explodes against the Spanish Football Federation

Though many players didn’t want to be called to the Nations League by Montse Tome, they showed up and got a win on the road against Sweden. After that victory, and before the next matchup with Switzerland, Alexia Putellas had a strong message for all the critics.

“Zero tolerance for what the entire world saw. Zero tolerance for the things which haven’t been seen because they weren’t live and we cannot talk about them as there’s an ongoing legal procedure. The system failed. The Federation failed, The country failed.”

Furthermore, Putellas gave some examples about the terrible conditions they suffered under Luis Rubiales. She guaranteed this bad treatment isn’t new at all and just got exposed thanks to Jenni Hermoso’s controversy.

“They made us travel six or seven hours by bus while the rival comfortably flew. We had to wake up at three in the morning to catch a plane and those schedules are not suitable for elite athletes. You have just seen this, but we have been for years in this situation.”

Rubiales’ justification has sparked outrage in Spain to the extent that several female and male players are still considering to leave the national team as a demonstration of support for Hermoso. One of those is Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas.

Now, amid the ongoing investigation, FIFA has delivered one of the strongest statements in recent history to condemn all that Luis Rubiales has produced with his actions.

What did FIFA say about Luis Rubiales?

Fatma Samoura, Secretary General of FIFA, has become one of the most important women in the sport. That’s why, as an authorized voice in the matter, she took a stance about Luis Rubiales and the controversial kiss he gave to Jenni Hermoso after winning the World Cup.

“To me, it was the biggest disgrace in the world of soccer. All we heard about for a month was a leadership behavior issue within the Spanish Federation. The country and the players were not allowed to savor that success, to enjoy it with their families, with the fans, with the soccer industry in general.”

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee already suspended Luis Rubiales for 90 days until the procedure and investigation are closed. Though there are no conclusions yet, Samoura believes there’s no way to justify Rubiales’ actions.

“This type of behavior cannot be accepted in soccer or in society. As soccer authorities, we have to show respect to all players and treat them as equals. As human beings deserving of our respect, even in private.”

As an authorized voice in Spanish soccer, Alonso couldn’t stay aside of the massive scandal between Jenni Hermoso and Luis Rubiales after he gave her a controversial kiss after the Women’s World Cup final.

As a consequence, Rubiales was suspended by FIFA facing legal charges and Jorge Vilda is was fired as coach. Montse Tome took over, but, many players like Alexia Putellas are not happy with her decision to leave out Hermoso of the Nations League in order to protect her. Xabi Alonso spoke about it too.

Xabi Alonso supports the Spanish women’s national team

Before the Europa League match between Bayer Leverkusen and BK Häcken, Xabi Alonso was asked about the controversy around the Spanish women’s national team with Jenni Hermoso and Luis Rubiales.

“Sometimes from the uncomfortable and unpleasant situations, good things come. I’m sorry for what they’ve had to experience. After being world champions, we have been talking more about other issues than about the big achievement they got.”

Alonso admitted that, though their performance at the World Cup seems to be forgotten amid all the scandal, the younger generations will definitely take notice of all their efforts.

“In the long term, they will be well remembered as they fought for a good cause. My daughters, they will remember them in the future because of what they fight for. These women that were champions. It’s an important topic and, when that happens, it becomes an international cause.”

As a consequence, Rubiales has been suspended by FIFA and faces legal charges in Spain. Furthermore, Jorge Vilda was fired as coach and Montse Tome took over.

Nevertheless, in a shocking turn of events, Tome left Hermoso out of the Nations League to ‘protect’ her and many players were not happy with that situation. Alexia Putellas has been one of them. Now, two big names have decided to leave the squad.

Mapi Leon and Patri Guijarro leave the Spanish national team

Mapi Leon and Patri Guijarro left the Spanish national team claiming that they were not in the best mental condition to face the next matches of the Nations League. Spain will play against Sweden this Friday and Switzerland on Tuesday.

Following a meeting that concluded early this morning, it was officially announced that 21 out of the 23 players remained in the national team’s squad with only two players leaving. However, at that moment, it was not disclosed which players were leaving. Now, Leon and Guijarro confirmed it.

These were the reasons which led to the decision explained by Mapi. “It is a reality that the situation for Patri and me is different from that of the rest of our colleagues. It hasn’t been the way or the timing to return.”

It’s important to remember that Mapi Leon was one of the few players who didn’t play at the 2023 Women’s World Cup as she was clearly against bad treatment and old training methods by former coach, Jorge Vilda. That complicated the current situation.

“We’re not in a position to say, ‘No, you come back now.’ This is a process. We are pleased because changes are taking place; changes are happening gradually, and we are fully supporting our colleagues in this, as we have been doing from the outside all this time.”

Montse Tome did not call up Jenni Hermoso, who also released a statement regarding the tactic she feels the federation is using to leverage the players, who could face a fine and ban of up to five years according to Spanish sports law. According to Spain’s Law of Sport and the RFEF Disciplinary Code, the players could receive a fine of between 3,006 euros ($3,213) and 30,051 euros ($32,125) and have their playing licenses suspended for two to five years,

The call ups come after Alexia Putellas spoke on behalf of the players understanding that the players stance was clear regarding call ups until their demands are met to clean house and restructure the Spanish soccer federation.

Jenni Hermoso left off Spain roster

In a statement issued on Twitter, “We have been searching for weeks – months, even – for protection from the RFEF that never came,” said Hermoso. “The people who now ask us to trust them are the same ones who today disclosed the list of players who have asked NOT to be called up.

“The players are certain that this is yet another strategy of division and manipulation to intimidate and threaten us with legal repercussions and economic sanctions. It is yet more irrefutable proof that shows that even today, nothing has changed.”

Hermoso was not called up to the team as a way to “protect” her by new coach Montse Tome.

Alexia Putellas statement

Alexia Putellas released a statement on social media making it clear the stance of the 30 players who resigned from the Spain women’s national team hasn’t changed.

“What was expressed on September 15 makes clear and without any option to another interpretation, our firm will not to be called up for justified reasons. These statements remain in full force and effect“, the players’ statement reads.