João Vale e Azevedo

João Vale e Azevedo
Born João António de Araújo Vale e Azevedo
(1957-05-17) 17 May 1957
Lisbon, Portugal
Occupation Former lawyer and former chairman of S.L. Benfica
Religion Christianity
Criminal charge Money laundering, fraud
Criminal penalty 10 years (expected release in 2021)
Criminal status Incarcerated in the Estabelecimento Prisional de Lisboa
Spouse(s) Filipa Vale e Azevedo

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

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:

Roller Hockey
Basketball

References

  1. Benfica face financial uncertainty, BBC News (25 September 2001)
  2. Vale e Azevedo detained in London (12 November 2012) (in Portuguese)

External links

Preceded by
Manuel Damásio
President of Benfica
19972000
Succeeded by
Manuel Vilarinho
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