The president and management of the Portuguese Judo Federation (FPJ) are losing their mandate following an incompatibility investigation conducted by the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (IPDJ), a source from that body confirmed on Tuesday.
Interrogated by Lusa, the IPDJ confirmed the loss of Jorge Fernandes’ mandate, following the investigation to the FPJ that points to “its conclusions regarding the non-compliance of the President of the Federal Directorate”.
The same source refers to Lusa Article 51 of the Legislative Regime of Sports Federations (RJFD), which enumerates the loss of office of holders of federation bodies due to ineligibility, incompatibility or for interfering in a contract in which they have an interest.
According to the same source from the IPDJ, the federation has “already been informed of the conclusions of the investigation” and it is up to its General Assembly to dismiss the chairman of the board.
At stake is, among other things, the exercise of functions by Jorge Fernandes in the judo club of Coimbra, about which a complaint was lodged by the judo association of Castelo Branco.
“I think it contributes to the greatest judo moment of all time, I don’t want to be the one to denigrate that image now”
The president of the Portuguese Judo Federation (FPJ), Jorge Fernandes, said today that he will have no problem shutting down functions in the body, following the conclusions of the study he was targeted, which he has not yet read.
“I know that a document has already arrived, that it has been sent to the lawyer and that we will talk about it tomorrow (Wednesday),” Jorge Fernandes began to the Lusa agency, explaining that the letter was due at the end of the day reached and that was still there Today I would read it.
Jorge Fernandes added that the case had been transferred to the lawyer of the FPJ, the same who gave a positive opinion on the possibility of becoming a coach at the Judo Clube de Coimbra, one of the incompatibilities mentioned above.
“Tomorrow [quarta-feira] tomorrow morning I will speak to him and then I will convene the organs, if necessary and in his opinion. Based on what he says, we will or will not convene the bodies to follow up on this, of course. If there is an irregularity, it must be adhered to, period, and if so [consequência] If you lose your mandate, it’s life, it’s the law,” he said.
In the investigation opened on complaint to the Portuguese Institute of Youth and Sports, Jorge Fernandes explained that several allegations had been made against him, either because he was president of the Judo Clube de Coimbra, coach or because his son, the former judoka Jorge Fernandes, who has a contract with the FPJ, justifies receiving money from the organization even before his presidency, through documented evidence.
With the departure scenario on the table, the manager explained that if that is the way, he is sure that he will not leave with any kind of incompatibility, but with the assurance that he has given his best for the modality.
“I think it contributes to the greatest judo moment of all time, I don’t want to be the one to denigrate that image now,” he said, recalling that practice of the modality grew by 50%, with 2019 and more this year than 15,000 practitioners.
The leader also recalled the many medals won in these six years, with two unprecedented world titles, and a 2023 in which Portugal prepares to host two Grand Prix, three European Cups, a European Championship for Cadets, a World Championship for Juniors and an arbitration seminar. .
“This is what makes me happy and satisfied. I don’t say whether it’s done, whether I’m ready or not (…). Whether I’ve broken the law and I have to accept it. And the numbers for themselves speak. I will not be incompatible with anyone,” he defended.
Finally, Jorge Fernandes reiterated that he is calm: “I’m not upset, I don’t come across as a criminal, I didn’t do anything wrong, I did what I thought was best for judo (…). Would I do it again? I don’t know…”.
Jorge Fernandes became president of the Portuguese Judo Federation in 2017 and was re-elected for a second term in 2020.
Source: DN
