Authorities close in on Fernando Madureira over ticket scheme | OneFootball

The investigation into the alleged illegal FC Porto ticket sales scheme, which is believed to have moved millions of euros, is nearing its end. Fernando Madureira, former leader of the Super Dragões, was made a formal suspect around two weeks ago and is now awaiting questioning by the Porto PSP Criminal Investigation Division. The inquiry could result in around 30 suspects being charged and in an indictment in the coming months, centering on suspicions of large sums of money being diverted through the sale of the club’s tickets.

According to information reported by Correio da Manhã (CM), Fernando Madureira was formally named a suspect at his home in Vila Nova de Gaia, before returning to Paços de Ferreira Prison, where he is serving the sentence imposed in the Operation Pretoriano case. During the past week, several other suspects were also called in to give statements and confronted with the evidence gathered over the last two years. The investigation is being led by prosecutor Graça Ferreira, from Porto’s Department of Investigation and Criminal Action (DIAP), the same magistrate who is also handling the case related to the incidents at FC Porto’s General Assembly in November 2023.

Authorities are said to have incorporated into this new inquiry some of the evidence gathered in Operation Pretoriano, namely the tickets found in the possession of some suspects. The money and vehicles seized from the Madureira couple during the initial searches were also linked to the case, as investigators believe they may have been obtained through the alleged ticket-selling scheme. The suspicion is that the activity generated very high profits over the last few years. The investigation is expected to conclude shortly, allowing the indictment to be filed afterwards.

Operation “Golden Ticket,” launched in May 2024, included searches carried out while Fernando Madureira was in pre-trial detention. At that time, the former Super Dragões leader was not made a formal suspect, unlike several family members: his wife, Sandra Madureira, his daughter Catarina, and other relatives, including his in-laws. In total, 13 people were made formal suspects, more than 44,000 euros were seized, and around 1,000 tickets were found at the family home. The investigation also points to the possibility that Catarina Madureira took over the running of the alleged business after her father’s arrest.

Another formal suspect in this case is Carlos Nunes, known as “Jamaica,” who was made a suspect about a month later in Póvoa de Varzim. He had already been convicted in Operation Pretoriano and sentenced to two years and seven months in prison, suspended. At the same time, an audit commissioned by FC Porto concluded that the Super Dragões had accumulated a debt of close to two million euros related to ticket revenue that was allegedly not handed over to the club. The operation also included searches at Porto Comercial, the Member Store, and the Estádio do Dragão, involving dozens of PSP officers. Fernando Madureira continues to serve the remainder of the three-year and four-month prison sentence imposed in Operation Pretoriano, while the defense hopes the former supporters’ group leader may apply for parole after completing two-thirds of the sentence.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.