Cassio and Marcelo, former Rio Ave players, have confirmed that they have received offers from Cesar Boaventura to facilitate the game against Benfica in the 2015/16 season. Statements published Publicwere given at the trial this Wednesday morning in Matosinhos.
The businessman is suspected of poaching two players, as well as two other athletes: Lyon, also from the Vilacondense team, and Salina, a former Maritimo. The goal is supposed to be to favor the Reds.
Cassio, a 43-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper, said Boaventura tried to lure him away for 60,000 euros. The player says he agreed to talk to the businessman in the car, citing the fact that he wanted to find out if there were any clubs interested in his services, since his contract with Rio Ave was ending.
“He was interested in Benfica winning the game and said to do everything in his power. [facilitar contra o Benfica]. I said no, I asked him to get out of the car and he said that if he didn’t agree, Marcelo and Lyonne would agree,” Cassio said, as quoted Public.
Marcelo, a 34-year-old Brazilian centre-back, says he believes the move to face the Reds was a “joke”. This version contradicts the statement he gave to the SP in 2017 in this case.
“He called, introduced himself, asked if he would be interested in an outside offer. I told him that it was not a very good week, that there would be a game. He insisted and said that he wanted to talk to me,” admitted Marcelo. .
Lyonne, another Rio Ave player involved in the trial, was not present at the trial. The trial began this Wednesday.
Prosecutors charged Boaventura with three crimes of active corruption and one crime of active corruption in the form of attempt. The deputy believes that rapprochements took place before Benfica’s games with Rio Ave, on April 24, 2016, and on the eve of the meeting with Maritimo, on May 8.
In the 2015/16 season, the Reds won their third title, winning the two games in question – 0-1 and 0-2 respectively.
The next trial meeting is scheduled for January 17.
Author: morning Post
Source: CM Jornal
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