Former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales is reportedly seeking Dominican citizenship, where he is now based.
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Rubiales embroiled in corruption controversyBased in Dominican Republican since RFEF dismissalSeeking citizenship to strengthen business tiesGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
The 46-year-old was forced to resign from his post as RFEF president after he kissed Spain star Jenni Hermoso "non consensually" following La Roja's World Cup triumph, a punishment that was later matched by a worldwide sanction from FIFA. He could face up to four years in prison for that offence.
And controversy appears to follow Rubiales as a warrant for his arrest was issued this week over corruption allegations connected to Saudi Arabia, with his residence in the Dominican Republic raided as a result. Amid the ongoing investigation from Spanish authorities, reports that Rubiales is seeking citizenship for the Caribbean country.
AdvertisementTHE EXPLANATION
The report notes that while Rubiales' presence in the Dominican Republic dates back some time, his efforts in the country have increased since his RFEF dismissal and FIFA sanction. As a result, writes that he is attempting to apply for Dominican citizenship in order to strengthen his business interests in that country, particularly as those ventures in Saudi Arabia have taken a hit this week.
The report also notes that he has significant "presence and importance" in the Dominican Republic, as he aims to help Dominican federations gain prominence beyond solely sport. Sporting ventures include baseball and football, with the latter coming "indirectly" as a way to bypass FIFA's sanction.
GettyWHAT RUBIALES SAID
The Spaniard broke his silence on Thursday as the investigation into those corruption allegations steps up. He told Isabel Rabago of (via ): "I am absolutely surprised by all of this [the corruption allegations]. I have been working here for months, in the Dominican Republic. I've been doing it for more than a month straight. And in fact, my family was going to spend Easter with me."
DID YOU KNOW?
notes that despite Rubiales' wishes, Dominican citizenship is famously difficult to acquire. Since 2015, marriage and a letter of nationality signed by the government are the only way it can be obtained.
