The Judicial Police (PJ) searched the headquarters of a football club in Aveiro district after arresting a person for committing active corruption, this criminal police agency said.
In a statement sent out this Wednesday, the PJ states that it carried out a police operation to comply with search and arrest warrants, in the context of an investigation into corruption in sports led by the Santa Maria da Feira Public Prosecutor’s Office.
“Several search warrants targeting the residences of the suspects and the headquarters of a local football club were carried out after they proceeded to arrest a person charged with committing the crime of active corruption,” the same note says .
According to the Judiciária, the facts under investigation relate to the last round of the first phase of the SABSEG championship of the Football Association of Aveiro (AFA).
The PJ also mentions that the detainee will be presented to the competent judicial authority for initial judicial questioning and the application of coercive measures deemed appropriate, adding that the investigation will continue in the secrecy of justice.
The case is related to suspicions of enticing some Mansores players to lose to Lobão, in a match related to round 18 of the first stage, North Zone, of the SABSEG Championship, held on February 5 in Campo das Relvas, in Arouca.
The game ended with a 2-0 victory for the team from Santa Maria da Feira, who secured fourth place in the overall standings, the last place for the champions qualifying phase and promotion to the Portuguese championship.
The case was reported to the AFA by the Arouquense club, which confirmed in a statement dated February 9 that the Disciplinary Board had received a report from União Desportiva Mansores reporting facts that “ultimately may be of a criminal nature and will be subject to an investigation by the competent judicial authorities”.
“Participation will of course follow due process with the AFA disciplinary body, so all procedures and dates scheduled for the continuation of the competition will be maintained,” the association’s statement read.
At the time, Lobão’s president denied the corruption allegations and even offered a prize to anyone who denounced the author of the complaint about the possible attempt to seduce Mansores players.
Lusa tried to contact Lobão’s president, but so far has been unsuccessful.
Source: DN
