2023-06-15 14:34:59
A source from the Portuguese Foreigners and Border Service said that the victims, who were from countries in Africa, Asia and South America, were placed in institutions “under the protection of the state.” Players will have to testify before a judge before returning home.
Portuguese police have rescued 47 young footballers, including 36 minors, following a raid they carried out Monday once morest a human trafficking ring linked to a training center in northern Portugal, AFP learned from a source from the Foreigners and Borders Service Thursday.
Two Portuguese people and five companies were charged in this operation called “El Dorado”, during which many “passports and residence permits” were confiscated.
According to local media, the victims were held at the headquarters of the football academy “B Sports”, in Ripa Dave, near the town of Vila Nova de Famalisao in the north of the country.
The media identified one of the two accused as Mario Costa, a B Sports academy official and president of the Portuguese League General Assembly, a position he resigned from on Wednesday, saying he had not done any illegal work.
On the other hand, the Minister of State for Youth and Sports, Joao Paulo Correra, said that the illegal recruitment of football players is “unacceptable and shocking,” stressing that the government will “take measures” to combat this type of human trafficking.
1686842522
#Portuguese #police #free #human #trafficking #victims #football #training #centre
