Former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales was detained for a few hours on Wednesday in connection with a corruption probe relating to contracts during his term.

Upon his return from the Dominican Republic, Mr Rubiales was met by police at Madrid airport and questioned before being released again.

An official statement was yet to be released, but a Guardia Civil spokesman told dpa that the report from broadcasters RTVE was correct.

Mr Rubiales is expected to be questioned by an investigating judge within the next few days.

Under Spanish law, a suspect can be detained for up to 72 hours without an arrest warrant.

Mr Rubiales was already in the Dominican Republic when the Guardia Civil raided RFEF offices and other properties, including his home in Granada, in mid-March in connection with a corruption and money laundering investigation into contracts made during his five years as RFEF president.

They are said to include the deal to hold the Spanish Super Cup as a four-team tournament in Saudi Arabia, completed by Mr Rubiales together with businessman and former Barcelona player Gerard Pique.

Mr Rubiales stepped down in September over the women’s World Cup kissing affair, having kissed Spanish player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent.

He is also under criminal investigation in Spain over that incident. 

The world governing body FIFA banned him for three years from football activities.

Mr Rubiales has protested his innocence in both affairs. 

(dpa/NAN)