Former Benfica president Luís Filipe Vieira suffered a broken arm after falling while leaving the Lisbon Court of Justice on Thursday, April 23, 2026, shortly after the conclusion of the ‘Saco Azul’ trial in which he and Benfica SAD were acquitted.
The incident occurred as Vieira exited the Campus de Justiça complex following the court’s decision to acquit all defendants in the long-running financial investigation. Multiple Portuguese news outlets reported that Vieira fell and sustained a fracture to his arm, requiring immediate medical attention.
The ‘Saco Azul’ case, which had been ongoing for approximately a decade, centered on allegations of false invoicing involving Benfica SAD and Benfica Estádio. Despite the prosecution’s claims of significant tax losses to the state, the Lisbon tribunal ruled that it was impossible to determine individual culpability after ten years, citing the lack of available digital forensic evidence.
In its ruling, the court confirmed the existence of false invoicing but stated that no suspects could be definitively identified. The judge expressed considerable doubt about the actions in question, noting that a proper technical forensic analysis would have been necessary to establish responsibility, but such evidence was no longer obtainable after the passage of time.
Following the verdict, Benfica’s current president Rui Costa reacted to the outcome, stating that “the name of Benfica was cleared” and calling the acquittal a “great victory for the club.” Costa emphasized that while the legal process had concluded, the reputational impact of the decade-long investigation remained.
Vieira, who served as Benfica’s president from 2003 to 2015, had been accused by prosecutors in 2016 in connection with the scheme. The investigation had alleged that contracts with the company Questãoflexível were simulated and paid for by Benfica entities, though the court noted uncertainties regarding the role of businessman José Bernardes in the matter.
The fall and subsequent injury added a dramatic footnote to the conclusion of a case that had cast a shadow over Benfica for over ten years. Medical reports confirmed the arm fracture, though further details about Vieira’s condition or treatment were not immediately available from official sources.
As of the time of this report, there have been no official statements from Vieira’s representatives or Benfica regarding his recovery timeline or any potential impact on his future activities.
Stay tuned to Archysport for updates on this developing story and continued coverage of Benfica-related news.
