Pinto da Costa links Villas-Boas to the negative referees for FC Porto and defends Fernando Madureira: “Did he kill someone?”

Less than a month before the elections for the presidency of FC Porto, Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa gave an interview to SIC in which he once again targeted André Villas-Boas, even considering that the arbitrations changed for the dragons from the moment the The club’s former coach presented his candidacy.

“In 2023, FC Porto had no reason to complain, it was indirectly harmed because Sporting won through arbitration against Casa Pia and Farense, but it is an indirect factor. But there is a curious thing: from the moment a candidacy appeared, certainly coincidences, that of Luís André Villas-Boas, the arbitration changed”, highlighted the leader of FC Porto since 1982.

The curious mention of “Luís André”, to refer to Villas-Boas, lasted the entire interview, with Pinto da Costa accusing the rival candidate of having done nothing “other than trying to divide the partners, it is clear”, criticizing the which he says is the change in the opponent’s attitude.

“There are two moments: Luís André’s candidacy and then my candidacy. Until Luís André’s candidacy, what happened? I was the president of presidents, my work was fantastic, I deserved a statue, I was his hero and I was wonderful. Because they thought I wasn’t going to apply. From the moment I presented my candidacy, everything is bad, everything is bad, the academy, which is a source of pride for us, which will be the best in the country, is no longer worth anything and they want to transfer it there to a chicken coop in the Olival”, he stressed, accusing Villas-Boas, who defends remaining in Olival, of having bought land there “from a friend”.

Pinto da Costa also believes that Villas-Boas was “pushed” to run for president “by those who have other interests”, throwing himself at Joaquim Oliveira, who says he only has an eye on “television interests”.

“He is a Sporting fan, he has a box at Sporting, he fights a tremendous war against FC Porto and suddenly he appears interested in the life of FC Porto?”, he further launched.

Regarding André Villas-Boas’ comments about the abilities of the current president, aged 86, Pinto da Costa used his usual irony, with a peck in the mix: “Physically I don’t know, he’s never seen me run. I haven’t seen him in years. Mentally, it’s natural for him to be a little foolish, but there are those who are more so. Worse than being stupid is being an imbecile.”

Expectations and confidence in Sérgio Conceição

Regarding Saturday’s game, which ended with FC Porto’s 5th defeat in the championship this season, Pinto da Costa recalled the refereeing. “Everyone saw the way we lost,” he said, considering that the Estoril players “did whatever they wanted on the field.” He also acknowledged that FC Porto “is practically out of the race” for the title and even a Champions League spot, but that “there are more things to win” and that the club will fight for the Portuguese Cup.

Pinto da Costa also stressed that, if he is elected, the coach he wants “is Sérgio Conceição”, refusing to say that he already has an agreement with the coach for his continuity. But stressing that he only has “plan A” on this issue. A presence in a European final, he says, is an objective for the next term, stating that he believes that this could have already happened this year: “If it weren’t for the penalties [contra o Arsenal]I think we would go to the final.”

Operation Praetorian and Madureira

During the interview with SIC Pinto da Costa defended Fernando Madureira, remembering that “there are no images that prove” that the leader of the Super Dragões, detained as part of Operation Praetorian, “attacked anyone” during the general assembly on November 13 , marked by violence between partners.

Regarding the Public Ministry’s accusations against Madureira, Pinto da Costa says that “that is their opinion”, declining to comment further. Asked if he would visit Madureira in prison, the president of FC Porto says that he does not do so because there are limited visits, but that he would have no problem doing so: “But did he kill someone? Did he rob someone?” As for Fernando Saul, fan liaison officer and also accused in Operation Praetorian, the opinion is different and Pinto da Costa assumes that the club is trying to separate itself from FC Porto.

Still on the general meeting of November 13th, another attack on André Villas-Boas: “Give me an explanation for why, for the first time in the history of a Portuguese club, someone said to the members: ‘Go there and film everything’. It’s because they know there’s going to be something unusual happening.”

Pinto da Costa also confirmed the departure of Adelino Caldeira and regarding the connection of João Rafael Koehler, a member of his list, to Quadrantis, denounced by Villas-Boas, he left vague comments. “Mr. Luís André says bad things about the Quadrantis fund, he says bad things and everything.” Pinto da Costa says that since “Portuguese banks turned off the tap” that he works with “foreign banks” that finance the club and regarding the interest rates charged by Quadrantis he emphasizes that “with the financing that is being done”, the fund will charge “around half the interest” that the club currently pays, refusing to advance amounts and sending further explanations on financial issues for the team’s presentation, which will take place on Friday.