Luís Filipe Vieira Absolved in ‘Saco Azul’ Case as Benfica President Rui Costa Calls Verdict a Victory
Luís Filipe Vieira and all other defendants in the ‘Saco Azul’ case were acquitted on Thursday, April 23, 2026, by a Lisbon court, marking the conclusion of a decade-long legal process tied to alleged financial irregularities at Benfica between 2015 and 2018.
The judgment, delivered at the Campus da Justiça in Lisbon, cleared Vieira — the former president of Benfica — along with the club’s SAD, Benfica Estádio and several former executives, including Domingos Soares de Oliveira and Miguel Moreira. The court found insufficient evidence to uphold the charges, citing doubts in the prosecution’s case and the impossibility of conducting a forensic technical analysis after ten years.
According to the judge presiding over the case, it was “impossible, at this stage of judgment, to determine who did what, who entered the system, and what computer problems were created” due to the elapsed time. The ruling too stated that no indemnities would be paid and that all seized assets would be returned.
The prosecution had accused the defendants of orchestrating a scheme involving fake IT consultancy contracts to siphon over €1.8 million from Benfica, with much of the money allegedly returned to the club in cash. Benfica SAD was charged with two counts of qualified tax fraud, while Benfica Estádio faced one count of tax fraud and 19 counts of document falsification.
Rui Costa, the current president of Benfica and the representative of both Benfica SAD and Benfica Estádio in the proceedings, reacted to the verdict by calling it “a victory for Benfica.” He emphasized that the club’s name had been cleared, though he acknowledged the reputational and operational toll the case had taken over the past decade.
Others involved in the case echoed the sentiment that the acquittal was warranted due to procedural and evidentiary limitations. The SIC Notícias report quoted the judge as saying that only a forensic technical examination could have clarified responsibilities, but such an analysis was no longer feasible.
The case, known publicly as ‘Operação Saco Azul,’ had been under investigation since 2018 and went to trial in recent years. Its resolution marks the end of one of the most prominent financial controversies in Portuguese football history.
With the legal matter now closed, Benfica can move forward without the shadow of this case hanging over its leadership. The club continues to compete domestically and in European competitions under Rui Costa’s presidency, focusing on sporting and institutional stability.
As developments unfold, Archysport will continue to provide verified updates on Benfica’s journey, both on and off the pitch.
Stay tuned for the next match, official statement, or club announcement as Benfica looks ahead to the remainder of the 2025–2026 season.
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