La Liga rival president defends Gerard Pique amid Spanish Super Cup controversy

Gerard Pique has dominated the headlines in the Spanish media this week following El Confidential’s report, revealing the defender’s role in facilitating RFEF’s negotiations with Saudi Arabia surrounding the Spanish Super Cup.

Many have criticised Pique’s role in these negotiations through his company, Kosmos, with some deeming it corruption and a move influenced by personal gain.

However, speaking ahead of Sunday’s clash against FC Barcelona, Rayo Vallecano’s president, Raul Martin Presa, has come out in defence of Pique, suggesting there is nothing wrong with an individual facilitating negotiation and charging money for his services.

“For a person to bring a business and charge a commission for their skills and contacts is lawful and the most normal thing in the world,” Presa told the media (h/t Diario Sport).

The Rayo Vallecano president believes there is no illegality over the role Pique played in these negotiations, with the Barcelona defender reportedly receiving €6 million as compensation.

“Criminalizing a person who creates wealth and charges a commission for some methods and capital gains that are listed… It is a wealth that pays taxes and creates jobs.”

“Charging commissions for work done is the most normal thing in the world, and you have to bet on the people who bring wealth,” he added.

Presa ended his statement by suggesting there are no people who work for free. “People don’t work for free… well, I’ve been doing it for ten years at Rayo. Some fools do it, we are indeed an exception, but there are no people who work for free.”

The comments from the Rayo Vallecano could be a bright spot in an otherwise dire week for Pique, who looks set to miss out on the weekend affair after picking up a knock against Real Sociedad.

The defender did not take part in full training today and may have to spend a brief spell on the sidelines once again, as we approach the ‘business’ end of the campaign.