FC Porto officials convicted over incidents involving Sporting president
Porto court imposes fines and compensation obligations on two officials of the northern club for acts that occurred following a football match in 2022.
FC Porto officials convicted over incidents involving Sporting president
The Criminal Court of the Porto District has imposed sanctions on two former FC Porto officials for violent behaviour directed at Sporting Clube de Portugal president Frederico Varandas on a night in February 2022.
According to Correio da Manhã, which cites sources with knowledge of the court proceedings, the former goalkeeper and former administrator of the Porto SAD was penalised with a fine of €1,200. The decision is based on the commission of an offence of insulting the victim's honour, with the defendant acknowledging the behaviour without expressing remorse.
The second defendant, who was serving as a communications adviser at the time, was likewise sanctioned with an identical fine. The court decision found it proven that he physically assaulted the Sporting official, striking his hand. In addition to the financial penalty, he was imposed a ban from access to sports facilities during periods when events are being held, lasting twelve months.
The decision also determines that both convicted individuals must provide financial compensation to the victim. The amount set stands at €3,500 for the former sports official and €2,500 for the former adviser.
The facts date back to a match between the two teams, held at the home of the Porto club. After the final whistle, when the Sporting official was moving towards the team transport, he was approached by individuals linked to the host club, accompanied by security personnel. The adviser allegedly pushed the victim and snatched his wallet containing a mobile phone, identity documents and bank cards, subsequently fleeing.
The Lisbon club immediately filed a criminal complaint against those involved. The coach of the Porto team at the time would subsequently be acquitted by football disciplinary bodies, while the two convicted in this court decision had already been subject to suspensions of 25 and 115 days respectively by the Disciplinary Council of the Portuguese Football Federation in June 2022.
Source: Correio da Manhã