The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) came into the spotlight on Tuesday as searches were conducted at its facilities amid suspicions of various crimes, including corruption.
Thus far, two individuals have been named as suspects: a businessman and a former secretary general of the FPF, as confirmed by a source from the Judicial Police (PJ). It has been revealed that these individuals are the former PS deputy António Gameiro and the former FPF Secretary-General Paulo Lourenço.
The searches were initially confirmed by the national director of the PJ, Luís Neves, who stated that the investigation concerned the sale of FPF’s old headquarters and included 20 searches.
In a statement, the PJ specified that the searches were related to the 2018 sale of the aforementioned headquarters, located on Alexandre Herculano Street in Lisbon, for over 11 million euros.
The authorities are examining suspicions regarding crimes of unlawful advantage receipt, corruption, economic participation in business, and tax fraud.
Additionally, the PJ noted that during the investigation, “several situations were identified that could potentially involve illicit conduct, particularly concerning the mediation of the building’s sale.”
Throughout the day, 20 search warrants were executed at residences, a banking institution, and law firms located in the Lisbon, Setúbal, and Santarém districts.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office also confirmed searches “in several locations across the country, namely at the Portuguese Football Federation’s facilities,” investigating “facts related to the alienation of FPF’s former headquarters.”
The investigation, which began in 2021, is being conducted by the Lisbon Department of Investigation and Penal Action (DIAP) and will continue “with the analysis of the evidence now gathered and with the appropriate examinations and expert reports.”
According to the directive accessible to the Lusa agency, the Public Prosecutor’s Office authorized the seizure of relevant information that could be on computers, mobile phones, and other digital devices.
The operations involved 65 inspectors and 15 scientific police experts from the PJ, supported by five criminal instruction judges, six public prosecutors, and four representatives of the Bar Association.
Fernando Gomes and Tiago Craveiro “not targeted”
The FPF’s headquarters building was sold in 2018, a time when Fernando Gomes was the president of the FPF, a position he left in February this year, succeeded by Pedro Proença. Today, Gomes assumed the role of president of the Portuguese Olympic Committee (COP).
Contrary to initial reports, Luís Neves clarified that Fernando Gomes and Tiago Craveiro, the former FPF CEO, “are not targeted,” and the “suspects are well identified.” Further suspects may be identified.
“None of the people mentioned here are involved in this action. I am here to clarify that Fernando Gomes should not be diminished in his action,” stated Neves to journalists on the sidelines of Gomes’s inauguration as COP president.
Portuguese Football Federation “surprised” by PJ’s searches
The Portuguese Football Federation expressed in a statement its surprise over the searches and the ongoing investigation into transactions related to previous mandates between 2016 and 2020, stating it was “taken aback” by the authorities’ intervention at its headquarters.
The organization, which governs Portuguese football, asserts that it “will go to the last consequences in response to any illicit or criminal practices that might be determined,” emphasizing its “unyielding commitment to defending the institution’s interests,” and pledging to act as an “assistant in any processes that might harm the FPF’s property and/or reputational interests.”
[Updated at 19:36]
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