Gérard Piqué retired in November 2022. But he hasn't given up sport just yet. On the contrary, he has taken on an even greater role with his company Kosmos. But what has become of him?
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A controversial end to his career
Winner of 37 titles in his career, including 31 with FC Barcelona, Gérard Piqué is undoubtedly a legend of Spanish football. But the former central defender is damaging his reputation. First, when it came out that he had been unfaithful to his wife, singer Shakira. The singer and the footballer formed a iconic couple, but the former Spanish international (102 caps) cheated on the Colombian star.
This led to much criticism of Gérard Piqué and a rather controversial end to his career. The former player, now 37, is now trying to revolutionise football with the King's League. It's a 7-on-7 soccer competition, with brand-new rules.
Aiming for a revolution of football
Gérard Piqué wants to make football more attractive, by eradicating draws and offering more spectacle, with more goals, celebrities who don't necessarily come from the world of football and, of course, more money. The Barcelona native has also been involved in the new Davis Cup format for tennis, with his company Kosmos. He recently launched the King's World Cup, in which France will take part with the presence of streamer AmineMaTue.
Also the owner of FC Andorra, Piqué has now linked to a corruption case involving Luis Rubiales, former president of the Spanish Football Federation between 2018 and 2023, who was removed from his post, notably for forcibly kissing Spanish player Jennifer Hermoso, after the final of the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023.
Piqué accused of tax fraud?
Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia revealed on Friday April 5 that the courts are investigating 89 accounts and 27 companies affiliated to Gérard Piqué. The former Manchester United player could be linked to the 'Brody' affair with Luis Rubiales, which concerns the shady conditions under which the Spanish Super Cup was awarded to Saudi Arabia for a period of six years (since 2019).
For the moment, Piqué has not been charged by the Guardia Civil's Central Operational Unit (UCO), but his company Kosmos acted as an intermediary between the Royal Spanish Football Federation and Saudi Arabia after the agreement on the Spanish Super Cup in 2019. A role that enables Piqué's company to pocket four million euros a year.
Piqué's shenanigans with Luis Rubiales
As a result, the world champion could be in big trouble. Spanish justice believes that Piqué is using FC Andorra, located in a tax haven, to carry out illegal transactions with impunity. Several suspicious payments were discovered by the Majadahonda court from Andorra, including one for 12 million euros dated February 12, 2021.
The UCO believes it was ordered by Gérard Piqué, who had already been at the heart of controversy in Spain when he violently insulted Antoine Griezmann during a Champions League match with FC Barcelona. Gérard Piqué has led a life as an entrepreneur, investor and company director since his retirement, and while he dreams of revolutionising football with new competitions, he is currently facing heavy sanctions for his close links with Luis Rubiales.
This article has been translated from Gentside France
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Sources:
Goal: Gerard Pique's bank accounts probed by Spanish police as ex-Barcelona star comes under scrutiny amid Luis Rubiales corruption investigation
La Vanguardia
