Pique is one of the most decorated Spanish players in history Oscar del Pozo via Getty Images
Former Barcelona and Spain defender Gerard Pique has been fined €200,000 ($236,000; £173,455) for insider trading.
The fines were confirmed via a report from the Boletin Oficial del Estado (BOE), which publishes official government announcements in Spain. They were imposed on Pique and local businessman Jose Elias following “very serious offences” relating to stock market laws.
Pique was fined for buying stocks of Aspy Global Services “while in possession of privileged information” from Elias. The stocks were bought on January 22, 2021 and sold six days later, with Pique making a significant profit with the sale.
Elias was fined €100k (£86,734; $117,478) for disclosing to Pique “privileged information” related to the process of company Atrys Health making an offer to buy Aspy Global Services, which allowed Pique to make profits in the stock market.
Both retain the right to appeal at Spain’s National High Court. Pique’s representatives and Audax, the energy group Elias founded and is chairman of, have been approached for comment.
On May 6, The Athletic reported that Pique had been banned by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for six matches and given a two-month suspension from all official football activity due to “alleged minor violence” directed at referees.
This came after FC Andorra, who are owned by Pique’s holding company Kosmos, lost 1-0 to Albacete in Spain’s second division. Pique was also suspended for two months for “blatant and public acts that undermine the dignity and decorum of sport”.
Across his 22-year career, Pique made 667 club appearances with 616 of those coming for Barcelona. He also played 102 times for Spain.
Pique is one of the most decorated Spanish players in history, having won nine La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, as well as the European Championship and the World Cup.
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