Miguel Afonso reconfirmed today that he was unaware that he had been the subject of an investigation by the Public Prosecutor’s Office into the alleged crime of sexual harassment against a minor, following the allegations of sexual harassment, which led to his departure from Famalicão and the suspension by the disciplinary board of the Portuguese Football Federation.
The investigation was eventually shelved “because sufficient evidence had been gathered that no crime existed,” as the DN first reported yesterday. “I have never been considered an arguido and have never made any statements,” he assured in a message sent to DN on Saturday.
Famalicão’s coach at the time was accused of exchanging intimate messages with several young players between the ages of 18 and 20 from the Rio Ave women’s team during the 2020-2021 season. A situation that the coach, who already coached Famalicão, denied when the scandal erupted in September last year.
He was then the subject of a disciplinary procedure by the CD of the Federation, which convicted him of practicing five disciplinary offenses classified as very serious and, in addition to 1050 days (35 months) away from football, he will have to pay 5100 euros .
A day after this decision of the sports court, the Public Prosecution Service opened an investigation into conduct that could lead to sexual crimes, which was eventually suspended. “The offense of sexual harassment of a minor by the accused turns out not to have been charged at all, as far as the victim is concerned, I determine, without further consideration, the submission of the present file as sufficient evidence of the absence of a crime has been collected,” reads the final order of the member of parliament for the Vila do Conde department, revealed by DN.
The coach also says that he was unknowingly fired from Famalicão and will take legal action against the club. “With the recent news, I also found out that I was fired by Famalicão, because until that date I never signed a resignation nor was I notified by the club. It will be a subject to be clarified and on in court,” said the coach, who was removed until the truth of the facts, on charges of sexual harassment, was established.
Miguel Afonso is now waiting for the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport on the appeal against the penalty imposed by the Disciplinary Board of the Portuguese Football Federation, which removed him from football for 3 years, to decide on the suspension and the measures. taken in defense of his good name and reputation.
Source: DN
