FC Porto president Pinto da Costa has fired a rather baffling attack at rival Andre Villas-Boas.
Da Costa has been at the helm of the Portuguese giants for a huge 42 years, but is now facing a rare challenge from his former treble-winning head coach.
Villas-Boas circled the subject for months, but since announcing his candidacy in January, things have gotten increasingly unpleasant.
Personal attacks have continued between the pair, but now Da Costa is delving into conspiracy theories.
Porto lost 1-0 to Estoril at the weekend, ending their league title hopes, and the playing staff opted to release a joint statement on social media criticising the match official.
Jumping on the back of that, Da Costa seemingly blamed Villas-Boas in his first sit-down interview of the elections.
“It is an interesting point to link arbitration with elections,” the 86-year-old said.
“In 2023, FC Porto had no reason to complain, it had indirect complaints because Sporting won some games.
“From the moment André Villas-Boas’ candidacy appeared, it is a coincidence, that the arbitration changed.
“At Bessa we had a penalty against Eustáquio that was not scored. In Rio Ave a penalty is awarded and the referee is not shown the right and it is reversed, in Arouca another penalty…
“I’m not being subjective, look at the images. Penalties that are well taken are reversed, others are slept on. The other candidacy… is a coincidence and a reality.”
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