Former Barcelona footballers Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique are once again under the scanner for their alleged involvement in a corruption scandal involving former Spanish football federation head Luis Rubiales and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. The case pertains to an alleged UEFA fund diversion scheme to cover the salary reductions of the former Barcelona players during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As per Spain’s digital newspaper The Objective, the Court of Instruction number 5 of Granada on Wednesday has ordered an investigation against Messi, Pique, Rubiales and Ceferin against allegations of business corruption and influence peddling.
Messi wanted to divert UEFA funds for personal benefit?
The investigation will take place into an alleged UEFA fund diversion scheme under which Messi and Pique had meetings with former Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales and Ceferin to discuss the transfer of around 50 million euros.
As per the report in The Objective, when the football world was reeling from the financial crisis during the 2020 Covid-19 crisis, Messi, Rubiales and Pique hatched the financial scam. They had a virtual meeting in April 2020 where an agreement was reached that the then-Spanish football federation head would negotiate with Ceferin to divert some funds from UEFA’s broadcasting rights to compensate for Barcelona players losing their salaries due to the pandemic. To sweeten the deal Rubiales also suggested that players send a Barcelona shirt to Ceferin with autographs from all the players.
It’s important to note that Barcelona had reportedly proposed a wage cut of 70% to manage the economic crisis during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Objective also leaked audio from the alleged conversation between Rubiales and Ceeferin in which he explained his plans. “I’m sending you this audio with a message from Leo Messi. It’s my voice, but his message,” Rubiales allegedly said in one of the audios.
Rubiales proposed to Ceferin that RFEF funds from UEFA be redirected to benefit Messi and other affected players. “I say it is important for us to have Messi and the rest with us. There is no need to spend money. We just change where the funds go,” Rubiales allegedly told to Ceferin.
Did UEFA divert funds to Messi?
There is no proof that UEFA diverted funds to Messi or any other Barcelona player. However, the leaked audio and the investigative report did create an environment in which fans started doubting the ethics of football administrators.
As far as the next step in the investigation is concerned, the agencies will be given five days to pursue the case. Based on their findings they will decide whether to take legal action against Messi, Pique, Rubiales and Ceferin.