Benfica president arrested for tax fraud and money laundering
Luis Filipe Vieira, president of Benfica of Portuguese top football league Primeira Liga, was arrested on Wednesday. Charges against him included "crimes of breach of trust, qualified fraud, forgery, tax fraud and [money] laundering," according to the Portuguese Public Prosecutor's Office.
Central Department of Investigation and Criminal Action said
"businesses and financing in a total amount exceeding 100 million euros
(118 million U.S. dollars), which may have caused considerable damage to the
State," are being investigated.
Vieira's son Tiago, football manager Jose Antonio dos Santos
and sports agent Bruno Macedo were also arrested and placed under investigation
by the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority.
The police issued some 45 warrants to investigate corporate
premises, homes, lawyers' offices, and a banking institution in both Lisbon,
Torres Vedras, and Braga.
"The investigation is under the responsibility of the
Tax and Customs Authority (AT) and has the close collaboration of the Public
Security Police (PSP)," said the Central Department of Investigation and
Criminal Action in a statement.
The police also revealed that the arrests were committed
taking evidence already collected into account to "avoid the absence of
defendants and prevent the consummation of suspicious actions in
progress."
Detainees will remain in detention until a "judicial
interrogation" is carried out due to the "gravity of the crimes and
the precautionary requirements," confirmed the police.
Benfica finished No. 3 in the 2020-21 Primeira Liga season
with 76 points following Sporting CP and Porto. They can start the UEFA
Champions League qualification games from the third round.
Vieira became Benfica's president in 2003 and watched the
club win seven Primeira Liga titles, three Taça de Portugal championships,
seven Taça da Liga titles and five Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira championships.
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