“The opening of an inquiry, which is proceeding in the Department of Investigation and Penal Action (DIAP) in Lisbon, resulting from a complaint of alleged defamation and slander,” stated the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
On Friday, in an extensive interview with the Now television channel, Luís Filipe Vieira, who led Benfica from 2003 to 2021, claimed he was “enticed” by the current FPF leader, Pedro Proença, before the organization’s presidential elections, to encourage Nuno Lobo, a candidate who ultimately lost the race, not to run.
“He tried to entice me to ensure a certain candidate would not run. He had a 15,000 euro salary, a car, and when moving to UEFA, he would become president. What did I say to him? We’ll see. One day, we will have a face-to-face and seriously discuss Portuguese football. Sweet words don’t exist. I never imagined I would say this, but I was outraged. He cannot interfere in Benfica’s elections. He has already harmed Benfica, even as a referee,” said Luís Filipe Vieira in the interview.
The former Benfica president gave a lengthy interview to the Now channel on Friday night. He did not clarify whether he would run in the elections next October and also spoke about João Félix.
Rodrigo Querido | 08:17 – 02/08/2025
Pedro Proença, who led the Portuguese Professional Football League (LPFP), became the 32nd president of the FPF on February 14, succeeding Fernando Gomes, who held the position for the past 13 years, by winning the elections with 75% of the votes, against Lobo’s 25%.
On Saturday, without naming any parties, the FPF issued a statement, assuring that it does not allow “its names and credibility to be questioned, under any pretext.”
“In light of the above, the FPF and its president reserve the right to use all available legal means to defend their good name, credibility, and honorability whenever these are challenged,” reads the federal statement.
