Three top European clubs have stadiums SEARCHED on suspicion of transfer malpractice
THREE top European clubs have had their stadiums searched on suspicion of transfer malpractice, according to reports.
Portuguese sides Benfica, Sporting Lisbon and Porto are the teams in question.
Reports in the country from CNN state that units searched premises on Wednesday morning.
The investigation relates to an operation dubbed “Out of Game”, which is hoping to clamp down on rumoured illegal activity in Portuguese football.
Benfica, Sporting and Porto are all believed to have collaborated and handed over potential evidence.
CNN claims that the searches at Benfica are over transfer dealings over Chiquinho, Goncalo Guedes and Odysseas Vlachodimos.
The possible crimes relate to tax fraud, fraud against social security and money laundering.
Authorities are supposedly looking into a time period between 2015 and 2020 specifically.
Meanwhile, at Sporting, deals for Bas Dost, Ruben Semedo, Naldo, Andre Pinto, Rodrigo Battaglia, Ezequiel Schelotto and Beto are being examined.
And at Porto, the transfers of Lica and Carlos Eduardo have reportedly raised suspicion.
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Houses of prominent football agents, club presidents and intermediates have also been targeted.
The Portuguese public ministry and tax authority claim there could be £50million of undue money made.
The “Out of Game” investigation has been underway for several years and it has seen Vitoria SC and Braga on top of the big three sides in the country probed before.
Super agent Jorge Mendes has also reportedly been scrutinised by the inquiry.