The Judicial Police (SP) raided the football club’s headquarters in the Aveiro region, arresting a man for the crime of active corruption, the criminal police body said.
In a statement sent on Wednesday, the SP says it carried out a police operation to execute search and arrest warrants as part of a sports corruption investigation led by the Santa Maria da Feira Ministry of Public Administration.
“Several search warrants were executed at the residence of the suspects and the headquarters of the local football club, after which a person accused of committing the crime of active corruption was detained,” the same note says.
According to Judiciária, the facts under investigation relate to the last round of the first leg of the SABSEG Championship of the Football Association of Aveiro (AFA).
The SP also mentions that the detainee will be brought before the competent judicial authority for the first judicial interrogation and enforcement measures deemed appropriate, adding that the investigation continues in secrecy from justice.
The case stems from suspicions that some Mansores players encouraged them to lose to Lobao in a game related to the 18th round of the SABSEG North Zone first leg, which took place on February 5 at Campo das Relvas in Aroca.
The match ended with a 2-0 victory for the team from Santa Maria da Feira, which secured fourth place overall, last place in the Champions Qualifiers and promotion to the Portuguese Championship.
The Aruquense club reported the case to the AFA, which, in a statement released on 9 February, confirmed that the Disciplinary Board had received a report from União Desportiva Mansores reporting facts that “could ultimately be of a criminal nature and which would be subject to investigation by the competent judiciary”.
“Participation will naturally take place in accordance with the relevant procedure of the AFA disciplinary body, therefore, all procedures and dates planned for the continuation of the competition remain,” the association said in a statement.
Then President Lobao denied accusations of corruption and even offered a prize to the one who reported on the author of the complaint about a possible attempt to poach Mansores players.
Lusa has attempted to contact President Lobao, but so far this has been unsuccessful.
Author: morning Post
Source: CM Jornal
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