Rui Pedro Soares, President of Belenenses SAD, confirmed on Friday, at the end of the 1-1 draw between Belenenses SAD and Moreirense, in a match of the fourth round of the Liga Bwin, that Canons will “administratively decline from the split” at the end of this season.

“We all know Morrence has been convicted of sporting corruption and will effectively be relegated [de divisão] administratively. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has already implemented the court’s ruling and, therefore, I would like to leave a word here for the Morernense professionals who played an excellent match. “They are going to have a very difficult season, but my solidarity is also there,” said Rui Pedro Soares, speaking at the press conference at the end of today’s meeting.

The dispute revolves around a 2018 sports corruption case in which five other defendants were convicted. The Viera court also sentenced Morens to a single fine of 450 days at a daily rate of 250 euros, totaling 112,500 euros, for four corruption offences. Moreirense ended up appealing the court’s decision, but saw the Court of Appeal in Porto dismiss the appeal itself.

The facts attributed to Moreirense go back to the 2011/12 season, when the club, according to court decisions, bribed six Santa Clara players and the Navy in the fight for promotion to the First League.