Famalicao suspended its coach after the scandal

Portuguese Famaliçao has decided to suspend the coach of its women’s team, Miguel Afonso, after accusations of sexual harassment were brought to the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) by several players. This is the first case reported in Portuguese football.

El Famalicao “with the utmost interest in preserving its values”, informed today, in a statement, of “the suspension of duties, by mutual agreement and with immediate effect”, by Miguel Afonso, ” until the truth of the facts is clarified “.

The facts, in the 2020-21 season

The decision comes after accusations were launched by several players of Rio Ave women’s senior, where Afonso trained during the 2020-2021 season.

The complaint appeared on Thursday and this Friday, according to local media, several players presented evidence to the Portuguese Football Federation, which transferred them to the Prosecutor’s Office.

Afonso denied the accusations on Thursday and, in remarks to CNN Portugal, limited himself to pointing out that “there is a strange set up here.”

The version of River Ave

Rio Ave acknowledged in a statement that at the end of last season it “became aware of some circumstantial comments” from players about the coach’s “allegedly inappropriate approach.”

He explained, he asked Afonso about the issue, he denied it and, “at the request of the athletes, the matter was not followed up.”

However, Río Ave decided to sever the relationship with the coach by “understanding” that the management and methods of the group “were not consensual or adequate, and the conditions for continuity were not met.”

Rio Ave specified that the club was not aware of “any formal and official complaint being made by any athlete to the authorities” during that time.