Spanish police have launched an investigation into allegations that employees at CD Tenerife football club have been involved in the illegal ‘diversion’ and sale of official club merchandise, including team shirts.
The Guardia Civil’s Heritage Crime Unit is leading the inquiry, which centres on claims that staff members may have collaborated with outsiders to bypass official sales channels, redirecting valuable merchandise to other outlets for personal gain.
The investigation has been underway for over two months and follows a formal complaint from club executive Rayco García and sports advisor Ayoze García, filed while Paulino Rivero was still serving as club president at the time.
Official Shirts Diverted Ahead of Sale
At the heart of the case are the club’s official shirts, a highly sought-after item among fans. Each season, CD Tenerife keeps the design under wraps until the official release, creating a surge in demand. However, it’s now alleged that these shirts, alongside other branded items and accessories, “went missing” before reaching club shops.
The items in question were all produced by Danish sportswear brand Hummel, which has partnered with CD Tenerife since the 2013/14 season. The club reportedly intends to continue the relationship despite the ongoing inquiry.
Evidence Points to Unofficial Sales Channels
Investigators have searched properties, seized documents, and reviewed video footage believed to show official merchandise being sold at discounted prices through unauthorised channels, both in physical shops and online. Some sales reportedly undercut prices offered by top-tier clubs, also supplied by Hummel.
During the inquiry, the Guardia Civil searched a textile printing company believed to be connected to the operation. The club’s internal concerns had been growing for years amid rumours of irregularities in merchandise sales. In the 2022/23 season alone, CD Tenerife generated around €920,000 in shop revenue, more than six times the figure from the previous year.
Players themselves have reportedly voiced frustrations, with some saying they received fewer shirts than peers at other Hummel-sponsored clubs.
Allegations of Intimidation and Vandalism
The scandal took a darker turn when a former marketing executive, who had raised concerns about the situation, discovered her car had been vandalised. CCTV footage reportedly identified the vandal as a club employee she had previously confronted about merchandise sales. She later filed a police complaint, adding to growing unrest within the club’s offices at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium.
Authorities are now awaiting the results of forensic analysis from external experts as they continue to build their case. While the full extent of the diversion remains unclear, the investigation could lead to criminal charges if wrongdoing is confirmed.
CD Tenerife has not yet issued an official statement regarding the ongoing police inquiry.
