Headquarters of the Portuguese Football Federation
There is a millionaire business at the center of ‘Operation Advalia’ which has the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) as an epicenter. There are already two defendants and more than 7 million euros under suspicion.
The Judicial Police (PJ) searched houses, law firm and FPF facilities ‘Valia Operation’which investigates suspicions of illegal commissions thousands of euros.
AS are related to Sale of the former FPF headquartersin 2018, at Alexandre Herculano Street, in Lisbon, for More than 11 million euroswhen Fernando Gomes was the president of the institution.
However, the FPF will only have declared a value of 3.9 millionso there is a Difference of more than 7 million of euros that raises suspicions of corruption, tax fraud and price manipulation.
During the investigation, “situations could be identified to integrate illicit conduct related, especially with the Sale intermediation”From the building in question, PJ also advances.
On Tuesday, 20 search warrants were served in homes, a banking institution and in law firm located in the districts of Lisbon, Setúbal and Santarém.
The investigation began in 2021, is the responsibility of the Lisbon Department of Criminal Investigation and Action (DIAP) and will continue “with proof analysis now collected And with the competent exams and expertise, ”according to PJ.
PJ points to suspicions of undue receipt crimes of advantage, corruption, economic participation in business and tax fraud.
Who are those involved?
O Former PS deputy António Gameiro and the Former FPF leader Paulo Lourenço They are the two defendants constituted, so far, as confirmed to Lusa a judicial source.
Paulo Lourenço, who is a lawyer, worked as FPF secretary general between 2012 and 2018, and was the legal advisor of the then president, Fernando Gomes.
António Gameiro, who is a doctorate in law, was the deputy of the PS elected five times by Santarém, leaving the Assembly of the Republic in 2023.
In the coming days more involved and new developments may emerge as the evidence collected are analyzed more accurately.
What do the suspects say?
Paulo Lourenço has already denied Today he had any benefit in the sale of the former FPF headquarters after being argued.
“It is for me unacceptable to see my name involved in a process to which I am alien. I had no influence in the decision to sell the property, I had no influence on the choice of the winning proposal and I didn’t get any benefitdirect or indirect, with this business, ”said the lawyer.
“I deny frontal and absolutely having received what was with this business. Any suggestion in the opposite direction is false and deeply unfair, ”said Paulo Lourenço, in a statement.
Fernando Gomes is being investigated?
PJ National Director Luís Neves confirmed that Fernando Gomes and the former FPF Director-General, Tiago Craveiro, They are not argued in the operation.
At this point, there are no evidence against these former federation leaders.
What did the new FPF management did?
A FPF gathered urgentlythis Wednesday, and revealed “unanimously DRAINING AND INDIGNATION by the way the institution’s honor and reputation were affected by all events. ”
In a statement, the Federation also advances with the implementation of several measures, namely the “Extension to the 2016-2020 mandate of audit”That already takes place, to allow“ a thorough and in -depth analysis“In order” to investigate any civil or criminal responsibilities. “
The FPF also announced the “immediate implementation” of a “process of internal investigation the administrative procedures of all departments of the FPF ”.
In addition, it revealed the “acceptance, with immediate effect, of the request for revocation of contract” by Paulo Lourenço.
The FPF also stressed that it will be an assistant in the process, to defend the interests of the federation.
The current FPF leader is Pedro Proençawhich in February this year succeeded Fernando Gomes, president in the last 13 years and current leader of the Portugal Olympic Committee.
