Portimonense Sporting Clube has preventively suspended players named in disciplinary proceedings opened by the Portuguese Football Federation over alleged betting on football matches.
The FPF Disciplinary Council is investigating 26 players connected with Portimonense’s senior squad during the 2025-26 season. The Algarve club competed in the Campeonato de Portugal before being relegated to the district leagues.
The 571-page case was opened following a complaint and reportedly concerns hundreds, and in some instances thousands, of wagers. The allegations include players betting on Campeonato de Portugal fixtures and matches involving Portimonense, including potential bets on the club to lose.
The players notified of the accusations were given until 7 September to submit their defences. Those involved include current Portimonense players, footballers who have moved to other clubs and individuals who had already left when some of the alleged bets were placed.
The highest-profile case concerns midfielder Nuno Pereira, who is accused of placing 1,536 sports bets. According to the proceedings, 195 involved Campeonato de Portugal matches, including 22 Portimonense fixtures. 18 of those wagers allegedly backed his own team to lose.
No finding of wrongdoing has yet been announced against Pereira or the other players.
Under Article 142 of the FPF Disciplinary Regulations, betting on an official match can result in a fine of between 10 and 50 units of account. Where a player bets on a match or competition in which they participate, a suspension of six months to three years may apply.
Portimonense said its preventive suspensions took immediate effect and would remain in place until the process was fully clarified. The club has also initiated internal disciplinary procedures and said it is cooperating with the relevant authorities.
The proceedings come as Portuguese operators call for stronger powers to intervene when they identify potential match-fixing, fraud or illegal gambling. Trade association APAJO has included those proposals in recommendations for the Government’s planned online gambling reforms.
Separately, regulator SRIJ issued 1,834 closure notices to unauthorised gambling services during the first 11 years of regulation, while consumer complaints concerning online platforms more than doubled during the first half of 2026.
Players who bet on a match or competition in which they participate may face suspensions ranging from six months to three years under FPF rules
