Pinto da Costa was suspended for 35 days and fined five thousand euros due to statements made after the game with Estoril.
The decision was taken by the Federation’s Disciplinary Council, after participation, which led to an investigation process by the League’s Instructors’ Commission, which considered the offense to have been completed and pointed to an accusation.
Pinto da Costa, remember, confessed fully and without reservation to the facts, so the Disciplinary Board continued the process and punished the president of FC Porto, following the accusation of the Instructors Committee, within the regulatory deadlines.
Now this punishment could remove the president of FC Porto from the presidential stand at the National Stadium, where on May 26th FC Porto will compete in the Portuguese Cup final, against Sporting.
There is, however, an important caveat. Pinto da Costa can challenge the decision to the Full Disciplinary Council, which would have suspensive effects. If the Pleno maintains the decision, Pinto da Costa can appeal to the TAD and ask for precautionary measures, which would allow him to be in the final of the Portuguese Cup, saying goodbye after 42 years of presidency of FC Porto.
This is because, it should be noted, although Villas-Boas takes office next week, Pinto da Costa must remain acting president of SAD for a few more weeks.
