Pinto da Costa put his house on the line to keep FC Porto in UEFA | OneFootball

Interestingly, the episode is described as an exchange of provocations between supporters of Pinto da Costa and those of André Villas-Boas, as read in the book: "The critical situation that SAD faced [in 2024] led Villas-Boas (who had already given up his salary) to lend him 500,000 euros from his own pocket as soon as he took office" - money that would be returned "without any interest being paid". In fact, Villas-Boas would later state that he did it "with an open heart" and in "response to an urgent treasury situation".

This "demonstration of love", Villas-Boas' supporters argue, was pointed out by Pinto da Costa's supporters as an "act of exhibitionism". In contrast, they recall what happened in March 2018, when the Porto SAD needed 3.5 million euros to meet UEFA's requirements under the settlement agreement and thus not be excluded from European competitions.

Without allowing exits in the winter market, in an attempt to win the championship and stop Benfica's tetra (an objective that would eventually be achieved), the dragons were counting on the entry of funds resulting from the payment by a club that did not happen, forcing them to look for solutions in just 24 hours.

"At that time, Pedro Pinho went to Banco Carregosa to arrange this money privately and the quickest way to get it was for Pinto da Costa to subscribe a promissory note. However, the bank required a guarantee: Pinho's house. The businessman agreed and reported the incident to the president of the dragons. In response, Pinto da Costa said that if Pinho, who was not an administrator, 'offered' his house as a guarantee, he would have to do the same. So it happened", the book April Captain tells.

Pinto da Costa later explained the episode to administrators Adelino Caldeira and Fernando Gomes, who showed solidarity. "The promissory note for 3.5 million euros was subscribed by Pinto da Costa, with the guarantee of Gomes, Caldeira and Pinho, and the houses of Pinto da Costa and Pedro Pinho were presented as a guarantee. Pinto da Costa received the loan of 3.5 million from Banco Carregosa and gave it to FC Porto, thus avoiding default with UEFA".

Four months later, with the club in a better financial situation thanks to the sales of footballers like Ricardo Pereira (sold for 22 million euros), Diogo Dalot (22 million), Willy Bolly (12 million), Miguel Layún (4 million) and Gonçalo Paciência (3 million), FC Porto "settled accounts with Pinto da Costa and, subsequently, the president paid off the promissory note with Banco Carregosa".

This is one of the most surprising episodes reported in April Captain - André Villas-Boas and the Unfinished Revolution. The book also brings other relevant episodes about the last years of Pinto da Costa's presidency, the infamous General Assembly with assaults on Porto fans (in November 2023), the campaign and the April 2024 elections (in which Villas-Boas decisively ended 40 years of Pinto da Costa's dominance) and the first year of Villas-Boas' presidency.

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