
“We should not dramatize these kinds of circumstances. I think it is more or less clear that it was not even related to the regular activity of the federation. It was a transaction that occurred a few years ago, and therefore, we have to face it naturally,” stated the minister responsible for sports.
Pedro Duarte made these remarks regarding Operation Mais Valia, which concerns the sale of the former headquarters of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) in 2018, on the sidelines of a visit to the construction site of the future training center of the Porto Football Association.
“Fortunately, the Portuguese Football Federation is strong, as it always has been. In fact, it is about to celebrate, I believe in two days, its 111th anniversary. It is a very important institution in our society and will continue to be,” he noted.
The Judiciary Police (PJ) conducted searches on Tuesday at the FPF headquarters due to suspicions of crimes such as unjust enrichment, corruption, economic participation in business, and tax fraud.
The investigation of Operation Mais Valia, which started in 2021 and is under the responsibility of the Department of Investigation and Penal Action (DIAP) of Lisbon, is related to the sale of the former FPF headquarters on Rua Alexandre Herculano, Lisbon, for over 11 million euros in 2018.
“Everything that involves clarification and action by the justice system and police forces to help us live in a more transparent society, where potential crimes are investigated and punished if they are real, is good. It would be serious if irregular circumstances existed and no one investigated,” Pedro Duarte emphasized.
The searches have so far resulted in two individuals being named as defendants: former Socialist Party (PS) deputy António Gameiro and former FPF Secretary-General Paulo Lourenço.
The minister also assured the implementation of the sport program contract for the period 2024 to 2028, which injects an additional 65 million euros into the sector: “It would only not be implemented if there was a succeeding government that reversed this decision. I hope this does not happen, regardless of who the next government is,” he said.
Pedro Duarte expressed personal happiness with the appointment of referee Catarina Campos to officiate today’s game between Casa Pia and Rio Ave, in the 27th round of the Primeira Liga, which will make Portugal the eighth country to debut a female referee in the top male division, among UEFA’s top ten associations.
“There has been a tremendous effort in Portuguese sports, and football has set a very important example in promoting inclusion, integration, and gender equality. We are not yet where we want to be in terms of equality, but we must recognize that what has been achieved in recent years has been remarkable,” he observed.