[Qwerty]

Originally Posted by bbc.co.uk

Porto accused of fixing matches

Portuguese champions FC Porto have been formally accused of fixing two domestic fixtures in the 2003-04 season.

The games in question, against Estrela da Amadora and Beira Mar, came in the same year ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho led Porto to Champions League glory.

"We've been notified by the Portuguese league (LPFP) of the accusations and investigations," said a club statement.

The club have been given five days by the LPFP to submit a written response to the allegations.

Porto beat Estrela da Amadora 2-0, while the match at Beira ended in a goalless draw.

Mourinho was not mentioned in the league's report, and Portuguese football journalist Alberto da Silva said the allegations were unlikely to involve the former Chelsea boss.

"It would not have anything to do with him," Da Silva told BBC Radio 5 Live.

Porto won their domestic title in the 2003-04 title, beating runners-up Benfica by eight points.

If found guilty, Porto could face a range of punishments, including a points deduction, relegation and fines.

Club president Jorge Pinto da Costa is to go to trial in a civil lawsuit by Porto prosecutors after he was accused of bribing the referee of the Beira Mar v Porto game.

Links:
Porto face match fixing inquiry | European Football - Times Online
ESPNsoccernet - Europe - FC Porto facing match-fixing investigation
Porto accused of match fixing | The Sun |HomePage|Sport|Football

[JamesRoyale]

wow. would be strange if they get relegated, i guess some of there players could be poached at knock down prices (bosingwa)

but they would have to perform like juve have to get back up to the top.

[dada]

I imagien fi they get relegated they should jump right back up instantly. On a side note I hope we can make some room for at least Quaresma, dont care at all if its excess to our needs.

[JamesRoyale]

i hope quaresma doesnt end p at liverpool one day, or any other ELP team.

[.aK122]

If Quaresma moves he will either move to Arsenal or Italy.

It would be quite funny if they got relegated..

[GocartMozart]

yeah you'd love that wouldn't you dada

if ronaldo plays as a striker next year there's a chance it would happen, but i wouldn't be surprised if he ended up at Bayern, or Juve. He's a great player, but i'm also loking not to become FC Portugal

[dada]

Originally Posted by GocartMozart

yeah you'd love that wouldn't you dada

if ronaldo plays as a striker next year there's a chance it would happen, but i wouldn't be surprised if he ended up at Bayern, or Juve. He's a great player, but i'm also loking not to become FC Portugal

That will be the last of it though, leaving us with 3 Portuguese players. I'm thinking more and more that Fergie may just convert Ronaldo to an all-out striker which really wouldnt be that bad considering how much interchanging takes place between attacking positions in our current system. Makes me think of how Inter use Zlatan (or how I think they do) in that even though he is a front man you often see him out wide and even in midfield positions. If the converson is made with Ronaldo that would be great for the potential of a Quaresma-Nani wing but not so sweet for Tevez who even though I love him to death will just have to be that super sub for us. At least he will get games considering the age of Nani and adaptation period (potentially) of Quaresma paired with the versatility of Ronaldo/Rooney.

[JamesRoyale]

thats if we can keep tevez. i heard it will cost about 30 mil. to sign him properly.

[Qwerty]

Porto lose 6 points in corruption case, Boavista relegated.

May 9, 2008

Porto will keep the Portuguese title after being stripped of six points for the alleged bribery of referees in the 2003/4 season while former champions Boavista have been relegated to the second division for similar offences.

Porto, who were 20 points clear of Sporting Lisbon before the punishment with a game left in the season, also had president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa suspended for two years after a probe into two matches.

The decision was announced on Friday by Ricardo Costa, head of the Disciplinary Commission of the Professional Portuguese Football League, after a lengthy investigation known as "Apito Dourado," or Golden Whistle.

Costa said Boavista, who won the championship in 2001, were relegated to the second division after being involved in coercing referees in three matches in the 2003/4 season. Their former president, Joao Loureiro, was suspended for four years.

"These decisions were unanimous," Costa said in a televised press conference. "Five people agreed with the penalties to be applied."

Porto were fined 150,000 euros ($231,900) and Boavista 180,000 euros for the offences. Both sides have the right to appeal for the Justice Council of the Soccer Federation.

Porto wrapped up their third successive Portuguese title last month.

Jose Mourinho was the Porto coach in the 2003/4 season when his side won the Champions League and Portuguese title. His name has not been mentioned during the investigation.

The league did not say how Boavista's relegation would affect clubs already in the drop zone.

Uniao Leiria have been relegated while one of Pacos de Ferreira and Leixoes SC would join them in the second division depending on results in Sunday's final round of matches.

http://football.uk.reuters.com/europ.../L02897102.php
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After 25 years of corruption, 6 points is all they lose...incredible.
I think at least that the 6 points should be removed only on next season, like it was in Italy...but, this is Portugal ...
Porto will continue doing this things without get punished...

Just for joke:
http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/2...dacostavg7.jpg
LOL

[funkdoctorspock]

This is a slap on the wrist in terms of the offensive commited. Really disgusting if you ask me.

How is that Juventus gets relegated and 3 other teams have big point reductions [I think Fiorentina's penalty was only 4pt], and yet Porto's is only 6. Everyone knows that there lead is 20pts.

As long as the environment is set for cheating to take place, cheating will in fact... take place.