Disciplinary Council punishes statements after the game at Estoril, but decision is subject to appeal
The Disciplinary Board of the Portuguese Football Federation imposed a 35-day suspension on Pinto da Costa, president of FC Porto, for criticizing the refereeing following the game with Estoril. A fine of 5,610 euros was also imposed.
The process was generated by a complaint from the APAF Legal Committee, and the investigation was, as usual, taken over by the League’s Committee of Instructors, which considered the offense proven, which was fully recognized by the Porto leader. The case then returned to the Disciplinary Board, which continued the punishment.
At issue is the dragons’ trip to Estoril and the many criticisms of the arbitration that followed, which included taking a joint position from the locker room
It should be noted that this decision could result in Pinto da Costa ending his term as president of FC Porto punished, but this is unlikely, as an appeal could be presented to the Full Disciplinary Council, and this has a suspensive effect. If the suspension is maintained, you can also take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
It should also be noted that Pinto da Costa will leave the leadership of the club on May 7th, the day on which the inauguration of FC Porto’s new governing bodies was scheduled, with André Villas-Boas as president, but the change at SAD will only will be completed later. The Portuguese Cup final, with Sporting, will take place on May 26th.
New social bodies take office 10 days after the elections
FC PORTO ALSO PUNISHED
In addition to the suspension applied to Pinto da Costa, the Disciplinary Board also imposed a fine of 15,810 euros on FC Porto’s SAD, in a parallel process, also relating to «injury to honor and reputation and slanderous accusation».
