In exchange for brokering the arrangement, Pique’s company, Kosmos, signed agreements with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) worth 40 million euros (£34 million), while the RFEF would earn 400 million euros (£340 million).
According to Judge Delia Rodrigo, the agreements had “possible illegalities with criminal implications”.
Pique, a 37-year-old former Spain international, is now formally included in the group of people under investigation by the authorities regarding the purported problems.
He has consistently defended the agreement, denied any misconduct, and insisted that it was “legal”.
Investigators searched the RFEF headquarters in March, and Rubiales—who has also maintained the deal’s legality—was taken into custody upon his return from a trip to the Dominican Republic in April.
Following the World Cup final of the previous year, he had already resigned from the RFEF in September of that year after kissing Spain player Jenni Hermoso. Regarding that matter, he is going to stand trial separately for sexual assault.
Pedro Rocha, his replacement, is also being investigated in connection with the Saudi agreement.
