The former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, was detained on his return to Spain on Wednesday by the Guardia Civil, which is investigating alleged irregular contracts during his tenure, according to Spanish media.

Rubiales, who arrived on a flight from the Dominican Republic, was approached on the same plane by Guardia Civil officers who took him away in a van without letting him out of the door where dozens of journalists were waiting for him, La Sexta television reported, cited by AFP.

According to several media reports, the former RFEF president was taken to the Guardia Civil barracks in Tres Cantos, on the outskirts of Madrid. The arrest is part of an investigation into alleged corruption that led to the search of the RFEF headquarters on 20 March and the arrest of seven people. They have since been released after questioning.

On the same day, police also searched Rubiales' home in Granada, in the southern region of Andalusia, although the former federation president was already in the Dominican Republic. According to reports from the Caribbean country, his temporary residence was also searched.

According to the judicial authorities, the investigation points to "alleged criminal acts related to business corruption, breach of trust and money laundering." These facts are currently being investigated. According to the Spanish press, the suspected contracts include the relocation of the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia and the renovation of the La Cartuja stadium in Seville..

Rubiales was head of the RFEF from 2018 until his resignation last year, following the case of the forced kiss with player Jenni Hermoso during the World Cup final in Australia.