The former Benfica president, Luís Filipe Vieira, is fighting to clear his name. He faces a serious legal battle, the “Operação Lex” trial. The first court session is set for the 29th, at the Supreme Court of Justice. This date falls just four days after the crucial Benfica elections. Vieira is once again a candidate for the club’s top job.
Vieira spoke to TSF this past Thursday. He was asked if Benfica members would care about the trial when they vote. He dismissed this idea. “I don’t think so,” he stated firmly. “The Lex case is a scandal, really, that I’m even involved.” He insists his conscience is clear. Vieira maintains he had nothing to do with the “works” or the accusations against him. He trusts the justice system and has never asked for delays in the process.
He believes the truth will emerge. “There’s a trial now,” Vieira explained. “When you see the result, you’ll understand.” He expects a final sentence by the end of the year. Until then, he says he’s not worried. Vieira notes that if he needs to visit the Campus da Justiça many times, as some have suggested, it will be to defend himself. “I will clean my name,” he promised. He sees the legal trouble not as a personal attack on him, but rather as an attack on Benfica itself, with him caught in the crossfire.
This legal cloud hangs over the club just as the current president, Rui Costa, made a big claim. Costa recently said that since he took charge, Benfica has not had any issues with the justice system. Vieira did not mince words when responding to this.
He called Costa’s words “unfortunate.” Vieira pointed out that Costa “never spoke… not even in defense of Benfica.” He recalled a time when he, Vieira, was always the first to step forward for the club. People often told him not to expose himself, he said. But he felt he had to speak out when things were wrong. Vieira emphasized that no one has been found guilty, and Benfica has never been condemned for anything. He clarified that the processes are now personal, though one case still involves Benfica. He believes he has said everything there is to say about these legal matters. He feels everyone understands the situation.
