The president of Portuguese football club Benfica, Rui Costa, announced he is pursuing legal action against a FIFA agent, dismissing recent accusations as a “petty attack” on his re-election campaign linked to a multi-million dollar player transfer dispute.
Costa stated in a press release that he would initiate judicial proceedings against agent Paulo Rodrigues. This follows what he described as threatening messages received from Rodrigues the previous day.
The Benfica leader vehemently denied all accusations made against him. He specifically rejected claims that Miguel Macedo participated in organizing the Eusébio Cup while employed by 10 Invest.
Costa described the allegations as “false.” He expressed regret over “yet another petty attempt to attack my candidacy,” adding that “the ends never justify all means.”
He suggested the accusations are related to an ongoing legal battle between Rodrigues and Benfica SAD (Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Sociedade Anónima Desportiva). The dispute is before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS).
Rodrigues is seeking approximately $2.15 million USD for the 2017 sale of Benfica player Mukhtar. Benfica does not recognize this value, according to Costa.
Costa is a re-candidate in the club’s upcoming elections, scheduled for Saturday. He asserted that “the electoral moment of Sport Lisboa e Benfica cannot justify everything.”