Primeria Liga, Portugal’s top-tier football league, leaders Benfica find themselves in hot water as the club is being investigated for possible match fixing. Several media reports in Portugal stated that the investigation was launched as a result of hacked emails, which are currently being examined by prosecutors. It further stated that the fixing allegations relates to a four-year period between 2016 and 2020.
The members who were serving as directors and board members during the time period are currently being investigated. It also includes former Portugal star Rui Costa.
Costa became the club’s vice-president in 2020, but was elevated as the president after Luis Filipe Vieira stepped down from the position. Vieira, who had held the position for a long time, was arrested on charges relating to fraud, forgery, tax evasion and money laundering.
As per the Daily Mail, Benfica have benefitted on several occasions during the time frame.
Benfica have co-operated with the proceedings, also releasing an official statement in this regard.
“Taking into account the news made public today, Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Futebol SAD confirms that it appeared in court on January 3, as well as, among others, the members of the Board of Directors from 2016 to 2020 and who are currently in office,” the statement read.
“Benfica SAD will not comment further as the trial is under legal secrecy. Benfica expresses its total willingness to collaborate with the competent authorities, as has always happened up to now.”
Last year Benfica denied paying a former Portuguese referee for favourable decisions. It was reported that Bruno Paixao had received €1.9 million from ‘Best for Business’, a third-party company set up by Benfica.
“The club has never been confronted with allegations of this nature, even in conjunction with the name Bruno Paixão,” a statement said.
