The Secretary of State for Youth and Sports is set to resign after the guardianship “imposed” elections to the governing bodies of the Portuguese Judo Federation, not just the presidency, defended the former president this Monday.
“What is expected of the Secretary of State and the IPDJ [Instituto Português da Juventude e do Desporto] is that they are the guarantor of compliance with the rules and laws. But here it was the other way around. It was the IPDJ and the Secretary of State who forced us in writing to disobey the law. They interfered with the federation, which is also illegal,” Jorge Fernandes said in statements to the Lusa news agency.
The leader, who was removed from office on December 18 due to inconsistencies under Article 51 of the Legal Regime of Sports Federations, lamented the guardianship position of both the secretary of state and the IPDJ.
Jorge Fernandes commented on the decision of the Loures court on February 17, according to which the judge rejected the elections for the following Sunday, February 19, noting that elections should be held only for the office of president, the only removed body.
“The court ruled that this norm was poorly done, elections to all government bodies, and this is what we always stand for, elections only to the president. The elections are canceled because, according to the judge, it could not have been an election. for the authorities The question is correct, we did it. What have the authorities done? They weren’t fired, they didn’t resign, they were elected for four years, they should stay,” he explained.
The leader defended the federal structure and the decisions of the President of the Council of the General Assembly (Carlos Andrade), which initially had an interpretation similar to that now given by the court, but which “contradicted” the guardianship.
Least of all is the chairman of the Board of the General Assembly to blame for all this, he is not to blame for anything. He obeyed, objected and, as it is written, called elections to all bodies and in the assembly itself, it turns out in the protocol that he himself opposed, which was not in the reading, neither he nor all the lawyers accompanying us, ”he said .
However, regarding the court’s decision, Jorge Fernandes also clarified that the judge never ruled that he could not be a candidate for a new electoral act – only for the presidency – and already appointed for 29 April.
“In his opinion, the president being ousted should not run for this term. Because of the inconsistency. Well, it’s not like that. To two incompatibilities. These are different things,” he argued.
Jorge Fernández recalled the IPDJ investigation that led to the appointment of an FPJ meeting – at the risk of losing public utility – and again pointed out the two inconsistencies he was accused of and the protection he received from the IPDJ investigator.
“Researcher [do IPDJ]when he heard this, three hours later, he said that I would not lose my mandate for this. If I didn’t lose because of this, then why did I lose? The interviewer’s reading is the same as that of our lawyers. If they already worked there, why couldn’t they conclude a contract,” he wonders.
It was about his position as a coach in the judo club of Coimbra, president of the FPJ, which is allowed by the charter of the organization in violation of the legal regime, as well as the hiring of his son and former judoka as an employee of the federation. .
“[O filho] I have already worked there and received money. The question, according to the investigator, was whether he received the money? I got before I was in the federation. I did what the state and the parties are asking to end unreliable contracts, both for my son and others, I made a contract, as it should be with everyone,” he defended.
Finally, Jorge Fernandes stressed that Secretary of State for Youth and Sports João Paulo Correia, as well as IPDJ President Vítor Pataco, should step down because, according to him, he is constantly under threat.
“Can we trust an IPDJ that is threatening to withdraw utilities? [o ato eleitoral] was it for all governing bodies and delegates? Can we trust a secretary of state who threatens the public good? Who did what he did, he and IPDJ. Can we trust state institutions? I will go further, I think Vitor Pataco and the Secretary of State should resign immediately,” he said.
In Jorge Fernandes’ defence, he also recalled phone calls from the guardianship, each time he claimed to be a re-candidate after being the subject of an investigation that led to his dismissal.
“Every time I said I was a candidate, I was threatened with legal action. Either the Secretary of State or the IPDJ. They called me. They asked, “Jorge, but are you really going to be a candidate?” I said yes. “But did you know that there will be another investigation? What will be another process? I ask: where are these investigations and trials?
The Loures Court’s decision to cancel the February 19th election has already prompted the FPJ General Assembly Board to schedule a new electoral act to be held on April 29th for the presidency only.
“In accordance with the said verdict, the relevant elections to the governing bodies of the FPN have been canceled, and it is now necessary, in accordance with our initial understanding, to schedule elections only for the presiding body,” the official website says. federation.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Dave Martin, and I’m an experienced journalist working in the news industry. As a part of my work, I write for 24 News Reporters, covering mostly sports-related topics. With more than 5 years of experience as a journalist, I have written numerous articles on various topics to provide accurate information to readers.