João Vale e Azevedo
 |
João Vale e Azevedo | |
|---|---|
| Born | João António de Araújo Vale e Azevedo 17 May 1957 Lisbon, Portugal |
| Occupation(s) | Former lawyer and former chairman of S.L. Benfica |
| Criminal status | Incarcerated in the Estabelecimento Prisional de Lisboa |
| Spouse | Filipa Vale e Azevedo |
| Criminal charge | Money laundering, fraud |
| Penalty | 10 years (expected release in 2021) |
João António de Araújo Vale e Azevedo (born 17 May 1957) is a former Portuguese lawyer and convicted money launderer, who was the 31st president of S.L. Benfica.
Biography
Early life
He was born in Lisbon, Portugal
Chairman of Benfica
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In October 1997, Vale e Azevedo became the 31st president of S.L. Benfica, the youngest ever. He won the elections with 51.1% of the votes. During his three-year presidency, Benfica ran up huge debts and at times was unable to pay taxes or players' salaries. Prosecutors also investigated 14 counts of embezzlement. These included allegations that he kept $1 million from the transfer of Sergei Ovchinnikov from Benfica to Alverca FC. He was indeed sent to jail while prosecutors investigated allegations that he embezzled at least $1 million (£680,000) from the club and laundered cash through offshore banks. In 2001, the then 45-year-old lawyer, was under house arrest in Portugal. Prosecutors, who feared he would flee the country or tamper with evidence, obtained his imprisonment the previous month.[1]
Emigration to the United Kingdom
On 12 November 2012, Azevedo was detained in London.[2]
Honours
List of trophies won by the club during his presidency:
References
- ^ Benfica face financial uncertainty, BBC News (25 September 2001)
- ^ Vale e Azevedo detained in London (12 November 2012) (in Portuguese)