The Central Department of Investigation and Penal Action (DCIAP) has accused a 33-year-old football agent of active corruption. The indictment revealed that investigations into Benfica SAD and the agent’s father, Luís Miguel Pinho, have been closed.
DCIAP clarified that there was insufficient evidence to suggest Luís Miguel Pinho and his son, Miguel Pinho, acted on behalf of Benfica SAD or were directed by someone within the organization.
The Public Prosecutor also dropped the inquiry into Luís Miguel Pinho, as Edgar Costa, when reviewing the photographs of hotel guests in Funchal, only identified Miguel Pinho. The identity of the person accompanying him in May 2016 remained unknown.
The indictment related to the 33rd and penultimate match day of the 2015/16 Primeira Liga season, where Marítimo was set to face Benfica on May 8, 2016, at Estádio dos Barreiros in Funchal.
The match in question ended with Benfica defeating Marítimo 2-0, which secured their title in the final round with a two-point lead over Sporting, who were second.
The Public Prosecutor detailed that “on May 6 or 7, 2016,” Miguel Pinho contacted Edgar Costa, identifying himself as a football agent/intermediary and requested a meeting to present a contract proposal, to which Costa agreed, hoping for a potential employment contract.
Following the call, Edgar Costa went to the designated location, the Hotel Pestana Casino Park in Funchal, where he met Miguel Pinho in the entrance hall.
According to the allegation, “Miguel Pinho invited Edgar Costa to go up to his hotel room for a private conversation.”
“Upon arriving in the room, where another unidentified person was present, they informed Edgar Costa that they were football agents and, on behalf of Sport Lisboa e Benfica, offered him 30,000 euros to perform poorly during the May 8, 2016, game, negatively affecting his team’s interests,” stated the Public Prosecutor.
The defense for businessman Miguel Pinho today described the corruption charges of offering Edgar Costa 30,000 euros to underperform in a 2015/16 season match as “senseless and baseless.”
Further emphasizing the claims, the indictment notes that they told the player that to comply, “he would only need to play poorly and not attempt any goals,” and assured him a better-paying contract with another club, without disclosing the name.
“Edgar Costa immediately rejected the proposal and left the premises,” noted the Public Prosecutor.
In May 2016, the final match days of the 2015/2016 Primeira Liga season, comprising 34 match days, were underway.
The Public Prosecutor requested that Miguel Pinho receive a ban from practicing as a sports agent, either directly or indirectly through other companies, for three years.
The DCIAP has also requested the forfeiture of assets amounting to 30,000 euros, corresponding to the alleged bribe offered by the defendant.
The prosecutor also sought the preventive seizure of assets within Miguel Pinho’s estate.
