The Disciplinary Board of the Portuguese Football Federation announced in a statement today, Wednesday, that the use of Darnley, a player for the Leixues team, is not considered illegal. Therefore, Santa Clara remains the second league champion, not Nacional da Madeira.

The entity explained in a statement: “Since it is not prohibited to include the accused players on the technical board and use them in the match covered by the case, it has concluded that there is a complete absence of evidence that the defendant committed a disciplinary violation by the accused, which is suggested here as well, and in accordance with the provisions of Article 234.” ,No. 1, of RDLPFP, Save Case.

According to a federation source, CD accepts the interpretation of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, that in postponed matches, suspended players cannot be used. However, it takes into account the evidence (on which TAD has not commented) that Leixões, before using the player, asked the league who accepted the use. . Therefore, the conclusion is that Leixuis acted without error and cannot be punished.

Nacional protested to the Court of Arbitration for Sport that Darnley had been used irregularly by Leixeus, during a match with Madeiran, and thus requested a victory in that match, through administrative means.

If Nacional obtains these three points, it will have an advantage in the standings over Santa Clara, which is crowned champion. Thus, the Azzurri were confirmed as winners of the cup, although Nacional could still appeal this decision by the Disciplinary Board.