Porto Match Fixing

[Fulham Broadway 16,444]

Porto face match-fixing investigation for same year Mourinho claimed Champions League

Last updated at 13:25pm on 1st April 2008

Porto could be facing relegation to the second division after being formally notified that they and president Pinto da Costa are under investigation of match-fixing in the 2003/04 season.

Porto swept all before them that season with Jose Mourinho as coach, including a magnificent European Cup triumph.

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Under investigation: Porto president Pinto da Costa and the club are being investigated for allegedly corrupting referees in the 2003-2004 season, and the club could be relegated

• A Brief statement on the club's website www.fcporto.pt read: "FC Porto and their president have been notified by the Portuguese Professional Football League (LPFP) of the accusations and investigations concerning matches between FC Porto and Estrela da Amadora, and Beira Mar and FC Porto."

Porto won the match in question against Estrela da Amadora 2-0, while the match at Beira ended in a goalless draw, with both results are under investigation over allegations of corrupting the referees.

The case - referred to in Portugal as "the golden whistle" - has been monitored for nearly four years, with close collaboration between the LPFP and the Portuguese legal system.

Porto have sent the accusations to their lawyers and have five days to submit their defence.

If found guilty, the club could be docked three points from this campaign - which will hardly hurt them as they are currently 16 points clear of Benfica at the top - or face relegation to the second division.

Da Costa could face a ban of between two to 10 years if found guilty of corruption or six months to two years for attempted corruption. The Porto president was charged in 2005 for three offences of active corruption and corrupt practices, but was subsequently released because of a lack of evidence.

Daily Mail/various.

Its only two League games, but you can guarantee it's the tip of the iceberg. Italy, Germany, Spain have all had there share of corruption scandals over the years. Anyone who doesnt think it goes on in the UK is very naive.

I've a feeling this story will run for awhile, well at least until UEFA/FIFA feel that the game is getting too much bad publicity

[Elliott 7]

How the two possible punishments of 3 points docked or relegation are in anyway similar I have no idea.

[Fulham Broadway 16,444]

It does seem ridiculous. Nobble the refs, win the league as a result, then get docked three points. Now theres a deterrent.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

They're nine clear anyway as far as I know, three points is nothing.