Luis Rubiales, the former head of the Spanish football ferderation (RFEF), has denied accusations of corruption in court.
Rubiales became infamous after kissing Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth after Spain's women's team won the 2023 World Cup. The striker contradicted Rubiales' statement that the kiss was consensual and he eventually resigned before being banned for three years by FIFA.
In a separate corruption case, state television station RTVE and other Spanish media said Rubiales was questioned by a judge on Monday. On his arrival at the court in Majadahonda, Rubiales left journalists' questions unanswered.
The case is primarily about contracts that were allegedly drawn up illegally by the RFEF during Rubiales' five-year presidency.
The contracts under suspicion include the awarding of the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia, which Rubiales organized together with former Barcelona player Gerard Piqué.
In front of the judge, Rubiales said that the contract had "saved Spanish soccer from death" during the coronavirus pandemic, RTVE reported.
According to media reports, Rubiales told the four-hour interrogation that he had increased the RFEF's annual turnover from €140 to €400 million during his time in office and had also ensured that the 2030 World Cup was awarded to Spain, alongside Portugal and Morocco.
Rubiales faces several years in prison if found guilty while criminal proceedings related to the kissing affair also continue.