Football businessman Cesar Boaventura denies that he approached three players from Rio Ave and one from Maritimo with the aim of helping Benfica win their respective games, already in the final stretch of the championship in the 2015/2016 season.
The statements were made before a panel of judges at the Matosinhos court, where he is being tried this Wednesday on suspicion of three offenses of active corruption and one of attempted corruption.
When asked about the reason for the players’ complaints, the football businessman explained this as result conditioning, which some athletes interpret in the context of sports betting on football results.
“Unfortunately, football is a jungle. Players find ways not to play because they know it weakens their teams,” accused Cesar Boaventura.
“Portuguese football is a disgrace,” the businessman added.
Cesar Boaventura also admitted to having professional knowledge of former Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira. As for friendly relations, the businessman said that he does not have a privileged relationship.
According to the ministry’s accusation, Cesar Boaventura’s poaching of four players on the eve of their teams’ games against Benfica occurred in the final part of the 2015/2016 season. The businessman approached the players Cassio, Marcelo and Lyonne from Rio Ave and Salin from Maritimo, promising thousands of euros (from 60 to 100 thousand euros) and millionaire contracts (300 thousand euros) in foreign clubs in exchange for helping Benfica win.
Benfica is not a target in this process because the referees understood that Luz did not commission Cesar Boaventura to corrupt the players to determine the outcome of the games in question. The reason for filing the complaint is stated in the relevant indictment.
During this time, Benfica won the national title.
Author: Paulo Jorge Duarte
Source: CM Jornal
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