A cloud has settled over the Estádio da Luz. Benfica’s president, Rui Costa, finds himself entangled in a legal matter, soon to be formally questioned. This situation revolves around 70,000 euros. These funds came from Lokomotiv Moscow, a Russian club. Benfica, however, insists their leader knew nothing of the payment. The money was blocked by the Public Prosecutor’s office. This happened because the Russian club is under European Union sanctions.
Benfica sent a statement, making their position clear. They say they refused to accept the 70,000 euros once the Public Prosecutor raised concerns. This entire issue started with Argentine defender Germán Conti. Benfica had a percentage of his transfer rights. Lokomotiv Moscow sold Conti to another club after Russia invaded Ukraine. That’s when the 70,000 euros payment was initiated.
Back in the 2022/23 season, Sport Lisboa e Benfica had loaned a player to a Russian club. There was no direct financial gain for Benfica from this initial loan. However, the following season, that same Russian club sold the player, Conti, to a different team. Benfica still owned a piece of Conti’s transfer rights. This meant Benfica was due a sum, which was the 70,000 euros. The FIFA Transfer Matching System (TMS) even validated this transaction.
Benfica learned of the Public Prosecutor’s view that the Russian club was under EU sanctions at the time of the transfer. The club acted quickly. They stopped the contract’s effects and refused any payment. Benfica’s statement strongly claims that President Rui Costa was not aware of this player sale or the payment. This was the specific payment later blocked by order of the Public Prosecutor.
Despite this, the Public Prosecutor’s notification was sent directly to Rui Costa. He is the legal representative for Sport Lisboa e Benfica. His initial date for questioning caused a scheduling conflict. It coincided with both the squad presentation for the current season and a meeting of the Social Bodies Plenary. This meeting was set to discuss changes to the club’s statutes. Because of this conflict, the Public Prosecutor agreed to postpone the inquiry. A new date is now being awaited. Benfica also noted that neither their internal departments nor the financial institution involved found any issues with the transaction at the time it occurred.