Spain's National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) fined former Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué €200,000 ($236,000) for insider trading in January 2021. Piqué bought 104,166 shares in Aspy Global Services, an occupational health firm, after receiving a tip from businessman Francisco José Elías Navarro about an impending takeover bid by Atrys Health. The deal was announced six days later, causing Aspy's shares to rise about 20%. Piqué sold his shares on January 27, making an estimated profit of €50,000 ($59,000). Elías was fined €100,000 for unlawful disclosure. Both have the right to appeal. This case reflects rising scrutiny of sports figures involved in insider trading, similar to other athletes like Phil Mickelson, Joe Lewis, and crypto-related cases involving CJ Ujah.

Key facts

• Piqué bought 104,166 Aspy shares after a tip about an Atrys Health takeover bid.
• The trade netted an estimated €50,000 profit within days.
• Businessman Elías was fined €100,000 for leaking the insider information.
• Both Piqué and Elías can appeal the CNMV ruling.
• Sports figures face increasing scrutiny for insider trading globally.

KeyAudit data perspective