Pinto da Costa admits that FC Porto could be fined by UEFA for failing to fulfill its obligations – News

Pinto da Costa admitted, this Thursday, that FC Porto could be fined by UEFA, due to delays in fulfilling its obligations. In an interview with Portocanal, the current president and List A candidate for the Blue and White elections rejected, however, the idea that the club is violating UEFA’s financial fair play.

“FC Porto has already left financial fair play. We have complied with all our obligations, and we only had some delays due to legal actions by some businesspeople during the electoral period, which forced us to divert funds intended for other payments to them. These delays resulted in approximately 10 to 12 days of delay in payments. We promptly informed UEFA of this situation. On March 31st, we received a letter confirming that everything was in order and that we were allowed to compete in the upcoming international competitions. imminent danger”, he began by saying, before commenting on the news about a possible fine of two million euros that could be imposed after the elections.

“It is true that UEFA can impose fines on clubs for delays, but so far, we have not received any indication to that effect. I don’t know where the others got this information from. Perhaps the other list has people with knowledge on the matter, as they have an individual who was at the ECA… We admitted the delays and communicated this to UEFA. However, we hope not to receive a fine, but so far, we have received nothing. we can participate in European competitions. That is the most important thing”, guaranteed Pinto da Costa.

In the same interview, the president of FC Porto denied that the contract signed for the operation of Estádio do Dragão is harmful to the club.

“It is extremely advantageous for FC Porto. Criticizing the timing of its implementation is completely unfair. After an interview with João Koehler, an individual called Camelo came to criticize, saying that it was a lack of ethics. However, this contract was being negotiated two years ago, and will considerably improve the stadium, making it more functional and aesthetically pleasing. However, if we were unethical, we would have requested payment of the 65 million in April. the deal. We decided that the 65 million will be paid by June. The elected candidates already know that they will have access to this amount in June. Those who criticize have the option, until July 1st, to return the money and cancel the contract. But I doubt that whoever it is will decide to cancel such a beneficial contract. Furthermore, we are careful to only receive the money after the end of this term… Where is the lack of ethics in this?”, he asked, before explaining. more details about the contract with Ithaka Infra III.

“This is a 25-year contract, and FC Porto did not sell 30% of the stadium. In fact, we established a new company in which we own 70%. Studies carried out by international companies show that this 70% is worth more than the 100% And at the end of 25 years, this society will be completely ours. The others leave with no rights. They got theirs, we got ours, and the society will be completely ours. “, he declared.