Porto could be relegated to the second division after
being formally notified they and president Pinto da Costa are under
investigation of match-fixing in the 2003/04 season. That year saw
arguably Jose Mourinho's greatest triumph as he lead the Portuguese
side to the Champions League trophy.
A brief statement on the club's website read: "FC Porto and
their president have been notified by the Portuguese Professional
Football League (LPFP) of the accusations and investigations
concerning matches between FC Porto and Estrela da Amadora, and
Beira Mar and FC Porto."
Porto won the former 2-0, while the match at Beira ended in a
goalless draw, but both results are under investigation over
allegations of corrupting the referees.
The case - referred to in Portugal as "the golden
whistle" - has been monitored for nearly four years, with close
collaboration between the LPFP and the Portuguese legal system.
Porto have sent the accusations to their lawyers and have five
days to submit their defence.
The club could be docked three points from this campaign - in
which they currently lead Benfica by 16 points - or face relegation
to the second division.
Da Costa could face a ban of between two to 10 years if found
guilty of corruption or six months to two years for attempted
corruption.
The Porto president was charged in 2005 for three offences of
active corruption and corrupt practices, but was released because
of a lack of evidence.
Mourinho left Porto in the summer of 2004 to join Chelsea, where
he was sacked earlier this season.