Rui Pedro Braz corruption claim withdrawn as reporter apologises after Al Ahli exit | OneFootball

Rui Pedro Braz faced corruption allegations after his departure from Al Ahli, but the claims have since been withdrawn and an apology issued. According to Glorioso 1904, the Saudi club denied any link to corruption when contacted by the reporter.

Braz’s exit remains contentious, with Al Ahli declining to disclose reasons for removing the Portuguese sporting director. Competing versions emerged in international media, including accusations that were later retracted by their author.

A Belgian transfer reporter initially alleged the dismissal was tied to suspected corruption in the move that brought Artem Bondarenko from Shakhtar to Al Ahli. The Ukrainian midfielder has also been booed by sections of the club’s support.

In that first account, Bondarenko and his agent were said to have requested an annual salary of 1.3 million euros, while Braz allegedly presented a 2.5 million euros offer to the club without explaining the gap. The post quickly spread and directly associated Braz with suspicion.

On Friday, after speaking with Al Ahli officials, the reporter said the club rejected any allegation of corruption connected to the Bondarenko deal or to Braz’s departure. He deleted the original post on X, corrected the story and apologised to the club, adding that Al Ahli said the reasons for Braz’s exit were not those reported the previous night.

Source: Glorioso 1904

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”