The Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard links in a report two former senior officials of the Junta de Andalucía with the former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubialesin the rigging of contracts for the improvement works of the La Cartuja stadium in Seville in exchange for alleged illegal commissions. The framework is the so-called Operation Brody, which investigates the previous RFEF board for alleged economic crimes.
According to the report by ‘El Confidencial’, and as RTVE has been able to confirm, it is José María Arrabal y David Oviedopresident and manager of the public company of the Junta de Andalucía that managed the La Cartuja stadium (ECSSA).
Investigators have found indications that both Arrabal and Oviedo contributed to the relations between the RFEF and a construction company called Gruconsa for the adaptation works of the La Cartuja stadium for different sports competitions, such as the Copa del Rey and the Super Cup, as well as to meet the requirements for its assignment as the venue for the final phase of the 2021 Euro Cup.
In relation to the latter, the researchers have been able to observe their direct participation.
So, Arrabal signed the ‘Framework Agreement’ of the National Teams Agreement (March 31, 2021) which allowed the financing of the works on the turnstiles and the stadium lighting system, as well as the technical advisory agreement with the RFEF for the contracting of files linked to the Euro Cup and the agreement to start the bidding files awarded to Gruconsa that allowed the works on the press room and the sports area to be carried out.
For its part, Oviedo signed the justifying reports of the tendered files, as well as award letters to the construction company. According to the report, all these documents constituted key pieces in the financing strategy of the works that allowed their execution by Gruconsa, in connivance with the RFEF.
Property purchase
The report also states that both Arrabal and Oviedo subsequently acquired properties in Malaga and Seville respectively and that both paid around 50,000 euros to lower their mortgages.
According to the Civil Guard, there would have been a triangulation of funds between three companies: the construction company Gruconsa, Dismatec Sport SL, a company linked to the businessman. Francisco Javier Martín Alcaide, friend of Rubiales; and GC Legal, a law firm directed by Tomás González Cueto, Rubiales’ trusted legal advisor.
The judge who is handling the investigation of the case froml Court of Instruction number 4 of Majadahonda (Madrid) issued on February 25, two days after receiving the report, a resolution authorizing the UCO to intervene in the electronic, telematic or computer effects of Arrabal and Oviedo, as well as the analysis and copying of online banking services in order to clarify and determine a possible illicit economic benefit.
