FORMER Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira suffered a shock fall and broke his arm outside court after being cleared of fraud.
According to Record, Vieira, 76, was found not guilty after the long trial of “Operation Blue Bag”, which means “slush fund” and was alleged to be running from 2015 until 2018.
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Former Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira suffered a shock fall and broke his arm outside court Credit: CMTV
Vieira was found not guilty after the long trial of ‘Operation Blue Bag’ Credit: EPA
The Portuguese businessman was approached by the media outside court just minutes after the verdict.
And as the former Benfica bigwig made it to the exit he fell down the stairs and crashed against a metal pole.
Reporters rushed to his aide and tried to help him back to his feet.
But the same source claims the pain worsened and ultimately became “unbearable”.
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Vieira then sought medical assistance and the full extent of his injury was soon revealed.
The former Benfica chief was diagnosed with a fracture of his right arm by the elbow area.
Vieira was among all defendants, which also included current club president Rui Costa, that were cleared.
The judge stated it was impossible to check details from “so long ago”.
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The judge said: “Only through forensic technical analysis can we determine who did what, who accessed the system and what IT issues were caused.
“And now, at this stage of the trial, it would be impossible to do so, given that 10 years have passed.”
Prosecutors alleged that there was a “scheme” in which via fictitious contracts, defendants took more than £1.6million out of the club, only to plough it back in cash form.
There is currently no information on whether the public prosecutor’s office will be lodging an appeal.
