Former Portuguese international Nuno Gomes has divested from a player intermediary company he co-owned, moving to preempt potential conflicts of interest as he campaigns for a vice-presidency at major football club Benfica.
Gomes is a candidate on the Noronha Lopes ticket and, if elected, would be responsible for overseeing Benfica’s football operations. His departure from NPlayers aims to ensure ethical compliance ahead of the upcoming club election.
His brother, Tiago Ribeiro, who co-founded NPlayers with Gomes, also intends to step down from the firm should the “Benfica Acima de Tudo” ticket win the election. This further addresses potential conflicts.
The move aligns with Benfica’s statutes, which prohibit members of social bodies from establishing direct or indirect commercial or service relationships with the club. Article 50, Point 4, specifically extends this prohibition to family members, including spouses and descendants.
Nuno Gomes departed from NPlayers at the beginning of August. The intermediary firm, under the brothers’ co-ownership, had previously engaged in negotiations with various clubs, including Benfica.
The election for Benfica’s leadership is scheduled for the 25th of the current month.