Pinto da Costa testifies against Villas-Boas’ leadership

Fernando Saul, a former employee of Futebol Clube do Porto, has filed a lawsuit against the club. He filed a legal objection to the division of the company Porto Comercial, as he understood that this could prevent him from receiving the remaining compensation for his departure from FC Porto. The issue is that the club, through this company, still owes Saul, who is accused of a praetorian operation, 79 thousand euros. An amount of 117 thousand euros (193 thousand before taxes) was agreed, to be paid in three tranches. The White and Blues paid only one of them, and despite attempts by Saul’s lawyers, the rest of the amount was never delivered.

A legal challenge to the division of the company was filed in the Commercial Court of Vila Nova Gaia. Saul claims that 11 million euros will be transferred from Porto Comercial to the new company Porto Stadco, which could prevent him from repaying the missing loans. “This claim is aimed at ensuring the protection of Porto Comercial’s assets. As a result of this division, the interests of the creditors have not been protected,” explained to CM lawyer Paulo Cerqueira, who signed the claim with lawyer Cristiana Carvalho.

With this action, the former employee could complicate the life of the club. FC Porto also had a commercial agreement with Pinto da Costa, concluded with Ithaca, to invest 65 million euros in the club in exchange for 30% of the economic rights of a new company that would be included in the FC Porto group for 25 years. The new company will be Porto Stadco, which is currently at the center of a legal battle. Villas-Boas has already tried to negotiate a more favorable deal for Porto with Ithaca, and this action could delay that process. Pinto da Costa and former club administrator Fernando Gomes have already been named as witnesses.