Porto face match-fixing probe over Mourinho's final season
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Porto could be relegated to the Portuguese second division after being formally notified yesterday that they and their club president, Pinto da Costa, are under investigation for instances of match-fixing in 2003-04. That season Jose Mourinho, who went on to coach Chelsea, led the team to victory in the Champions League.
A brief statement on the club website read: "FC Porto and their president have been notified by the Portuguese Professional Football League (LPFP) of the accusations and investigations concerning matches between FC Porto and Estrela da Amadora, and Beira-Mar and FC Porto."
Porto won the first match 2-0 and drew 0-0 at Beira-Mar. Both results are under investigation over allegations of corrupting the referees. The case, which is referred to in Portugal as "the golden whistle", has been monitored for nearly four years, with close collaboration between the LPFP and the Portuguese legal system.
Porto have sent the accusations to their lawyers and have five days to submit their defence.
The club could be docked three points from this season's total – they currently lead Benfica by 16 points – or they could be relegated. Da Costa could be banned for two to 10 years if found guilty of corruption; attempted corruption would carry six months to two years.
The president was charged in 2005 for three offences of active corruption and corrupt practices but was released because of a lack of evidence.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments