Rui Patrício, João Medeiros and Paulo Zaragoça da Matta na Luz. Defense against SAD accusation begins to be prepared. Opening of instruction must be requested
Rui Costa met, yesterday morning, at Estádio da Luz, with lawyers Rui Patrício, João Medeiros and Paulo Saragoça da Matta, to analyze the Public Ministry’s indictment in the e-mails process — which indicts SAD for commission of the crime of active corruption, in competition with the crime of offering or receiving an advantage, and the crime of qualified tax evasion — and beginning of defense preparation. The next step will be the decision on the request to open an investigation, which must be presented within 20 days after notification.
The team of lawyers, formed to deal with the most delicate and complex processes, will, however, analyze the indictment issued by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which requested the conviction of Benfica, SAD with the additional penalty of “suspension of participation in a sporting competition for a period of six months to three years”. And, everything indicates, if you consider that you have the conditions to secure an order of non-indictment, request the investigation of the process. This was considered, by a source close to the process, the most natural path and the one that was followed, for example, in the e-mole process, in which Benfica’s SAD was cleared of the 30 crimes of which it was accused by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, among the which are active corruption. The decision will therefore be announced soon.
Following a statement published on the website, the day before yesterday, in the first reaction to the notification of the order from the Public Ministry, SAD, in a statement published yesterday on the website of the Securities Market Commission (CMVM), that «was accused of committing crimes of active corruption », for alleged imputed acts, «in apparent competition with the crime of undue offering or receiving of an advantage and qualified tax fraud». It adds that «none of the other former or current members of the Company’s Board of Directors, including its president, was accused in this process».
news-item-description ellipsis-2-line">SAD accused of the crime of active corruption and the crime of offering or receiving an improper advantage. In question business with V. Setúbal. Vieira and Paulo Gonçalves also accused. Rui Costa cleared
Benfica insists that «it considers the aforementioned accusation to be unfounded» and clarifies, in reference to the possibility of requesting the opening of the investigation, that it will take a procedural position in due course, exercising its right of defense in accordance with the legal procedure».
In this process, the Public Prosecutor’s Office cleared Rui Costa, administrator of SAD at the time, for not having found “any evidence of involvement” in the execution of what he considered to be a plan by Luís Filipe Vieira and Paulo Gonçalves, then president and legal advisor of the incarnates. .
Prosecutor Cristiana Mota pointed out that Rui Costa signed contracts in the case without questioning the “reality underlying the business”, but added that Luís Filipe Vieira concentrated the executive powers and, on the other hand, regarding the current president of the reds, “they were not collected any records of conversations in a digital environment on the various equipment that were seized in the files or those imported from other processes”, in addition to the fact that his name was never mentioned “by third parties as having the decision-making power or knowledge of the facts in question in the present investigation ».
Benfica’s Legal Drama: A Comedy of Errors
Because What’s Sport Without a Bit of Scandal?
So, Benfica finds itself embroiled in a rather juicy scandal involving accusations of active corruption. Yes, it appears that football is not just about what happens on the pitch. Nothing says “We love the game” like a bit of legal drama! It’s not quite Saturday Night Live, but I’d say it’s a solid contender.
Rui Costa met recently with a team of legal eagles, armed and ready, to tackle the Public Ministry’s latest onslaught against Benfica SAD (Sociedade Anónima Desportiva). They’re accused of some pretty serious stuff: active corruption, receiving advantages that aren’t exactly on the up-and-up, and tax evasion. I mean, you can’t make this stuff up! Or can you? Perhaps they’d argue, “It’s just creative accounting!” Maybe they should just stick to scoring goals, eh?
The Accusations: A Dish Best Served Cold
Now, for the main dish of this legal buffet—the Public Prosecutor’s indictment. The case alleges that Benfica not only engaged in dodgy dealings but also failed to keep track of their emails better than a teenager with a smartphone. Not a good look, lads! Total amateur hour!
A lawyer’s job is to get their clients through the murky waters of legal entanglement, and it looks like Benfica might need a full scuba gear set. And just to spice things up, a possible six-month to three-year suspension from sporting competitions? Talk about putting the fun in “dysfunctional!”
Rui Costa’s Involvement: Oh, What a Tangled Web!
Interestingly enough, despite the cacophony surrounding him, Rui Costa has been cleared of any wrongdoing. Apparently, he’s as innocent as a little lamb wandering through a field of corruption! Good for him, but it does make you wonder: what was he doing while all this was going on? Googling “How to be a good president without getting caught”? They say he signed contracts without knowing his head from his backside. Classic political move—“I didn’t know it was illegal; I just thought it was football!”
Public Reaction: The Show Must Go On!
And as if we didn’t have enough drama, Benfica’s statement following the accusation was priceless. They referred to the claims as “unfounded” and expressed their intent to file an appeal. But let’s be real; they might as well have just said, “We’re innocent, and we have a really great lawyer!” You know, just to keep morale up while the lawyers are out to lunch with the case’s expenses.
Conclusion: So What’s Next?
So, dear readers, as we await the next chapter in this delightful saga, one thing is clear: whether it’s on the pitch or in the courtroom, Benfica has entered a new season of drama that’s sure to keep everyone entertained. Football without a bit of scandal is like a comedy without a punchline. So grab your popcorn and stay tuned; this is going to be one heck of a show!
