Daily Reports
Embezzlement Scandal Rocks UEFA, Involving Messi and Piqué
A recent investigation by the independent newspaper The Objective has unveiled documents that could implicate UEFA, Lionel Messi, Gerard Piqué, and former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales in a significant embezzlement scandal. The alleged misconduct dates back to April 2020, during the economic crisis linked to Covid-19.
As football clubs across Europe struggled financially, many forced players to accept salary cuts. FC Barcelona proposed slashing player salaries by up to 70%, causing considerable anxiety among top players. Reports suggest that Piqué acted as a spokesperson for Messi and approached Rubiales to mediate their concerns about the drastic salary reductions.
Rubiales then allegedly reached out to UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, suggesting that UEFA funds be used to compensate the players’ lost income. According to the revelations, there were intense discussions about the situation, with Rubiales stating, 'They [Messi and Piqué] told me clearly that, please, no one should know about this because, if people find out, they will kill us.' Ceferin reportedly reassured Rubiales that the arrangement would remain confidential.
Messi and Piqué's Secretive Talks with Rubiales
The secret exchanges between the former Barcelona teammates and Rubiales continued until June 2020. The official documentation does not confirm whether the proposed financial operation was ever completed. This period coincides with Messi's final season at Barcelona, after which he left due to the club’s financial troubles and joined PSG.
Piqué, a world champion in 2010, continued playing for Barcelona until his retirement on December 31, 2022. Rubiales, who recently resigned from the RFEF presidency in September 2023 amid a separate controversy involving a forced kiss on player Jenni Hermoso, found himself at the center of another scandal.
Broader Implications and Investigations
Additional reports highlight that Rubiales and Piqué are also being investigated in Spain for another case involving the sale of the rights to the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi investors. These parallel controversies involve suspicions of personal profit, further complicating the reputations of the individuals and organizations embroiled in these scandals. The ramifications of these allegations could be significant for European football governance and its key figures.
- The Objective's findings raise troubling questions about the ethical governance of football associations and the lengths to which high-profile players and officials will go to protect their financial interests.
- Fans and stakeholders of European football will be watching closely as further details emerge and legal proceedings unfold, potentially reshaping the sport’s landscape.
