Pinto da Costa explains why he won’t visit Fernando Madureira in prison – Football

During this Monday’s interview with SIC, Pinto da Costa, president of FC Porto and candidate for the April 27th elections, once again addressed the events of the General Assembly of November 13th, marked by disagreement between members and which triggered Operation Praetorian, which led to several arrests, including that of Fernando Madureira, leader of the Super Dragões and who is in pre-trial detention.

“I’m not going to visit Fernando Madureira for one reason: because he has the right to a limited number of visits, he has parents, in-laws, wife and children. If it weren’t for that I wouldn’t have any problems. Did he kill someone? Did he rob someone? As far as I know, no “, he said, after explaining: “Fernando Madureira did not betray my trust. As I do not consider that, no. I know the realities and I know. There is no image, which if there had already appeared on the news, that shows Fernando Madureira to attack anyone. There isn’t one! When they called for ‘film everything’ that was what it was for. But that didn’t happen. The individual who said that later went to the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) to say what should or shouldn’t be public.”

Surprised by the scale of the Praetorian operation? “I’m going to go back a little. I was very worried about the General Assembly, I recommended the greatest care. Because I’ve never seen a GA, from a club, society, association… someone appealing to their supporters ‘Go there and film everything’. But film everything What? A few hours later it was on a channel. I’ve seen hundreds of AGs from FC Porto and no one has ever asked to film everything. It’s because they know something is going to happen. Then they run to the Public Prosecutor’s Office to file a complaint against the FC members Harbor?”

Word to the members attacked at the AG: “Regret. That’s why we carried out an investigation and there were 4 members suspended, because it was proven – and they had nothing to do with Super Dragões – about six months, others more. No one received treatment in the pavilion, went to the hospital or was injured, but naturally, being slapped is unpleasant, no one likes it. If a member was attacked, and they were because we have images, we did what we could do. We suspended members who attacked them. To the others that I don’t know, I repudiate the attitude of those who attacked them and I am in solidarity with them . My driver who took me home was one of those attacked.”

Security and transparency for electoral events? “I’m the one appealing now, go there and film everything. Film everything and I’m sure you won’t go to the MP afterwards to complain about anyone.”

Fernando Saul: “The Supervisory Board is the one who carried out the processes and gave the due sanctions to the partners who we have proof that they were involved in these disrespects. Saul was suspended, went on vacation and naturally will not return to FC Porto in these roles, or perhaps none at all. We are try to reach an agreement so that he leaves.”

Will Madureira return to the Super Dragões when he leaves prison? “The Super Dragões are the ones who decide the leaders, not me. What is the criminal act? I think the preparation lies in those who, for the first time in the history of a Portuguese club, appeared to appeal ‘Come to the Assembly and film everything’. And Madureira Did you do the preparation? For God’s sake…”

Order from the Public Ministry: “That’s their opinion, I don’t comment on what they say. I don’t comment. I ask that everyone go to the elections and film it. When an individual at a GA asks them to film it, it’s because they know something is going to happen. It’s their opinion. Give give me an explanation, or the MP, for an individual, for the first time in the history of football, to tell the members to go and for them to film. I’m talking about André Villas-Boas, yes. But film what? It’s because He knows something unusual is going to happen. I’m not pointing out anything. If he thinks it’s necessary to film everything, it’s because he’s waiting for something to film.”

Did the second GA go well? “Because in this one he didn’t order filming and it went well”