Samuel Costa, who was suspended as sporting director of women’s football in Famalicao following allegations of sexual harassment, reacted this Sunday to the accusations. In the statement, he guarantees that he has not done anything “illegal or wrong,” referring to an “unspeakable assault” on his honour.
Here is the statement in full:
“Over the past few days and hours, I have witnessed countless comments, information, considerations and media reports arousing suspicion and accusations that imply an unspeakable attack on my honor, professional career and personal attitude.
At the heart of this behavior were and are attempts to denigrate my image as a person and attacks on my professional activities. Therefore, on this news, based on untruths and inaccuracies, I will act at the right time and in the right place, so that nothing remains to be clarified.
In my life I have always been a staunch defender of the freedom of the press, considered as a sub-element of freedom of expression, in accordance with article 38 of the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, an institutional guarantee as an essential element of the democratic and pluralistic placement of the public order. Thus, the public mission that it must fulfill is emphasized.
However, this can never jeopardize the principle of the presumption of innocence, which is embedded in the right to human dignity and honor. Like everything else.
I hereby further confirm that I have full confidence in the justice of the people, I will cooperate with it as it is my duty, and I am fully confident, since I have done nothing illegal or wrong, that I will be fully exonerated in this process.
I will fight with calmness, but with all my strength, conviction and determination to clarify the truth about the facts, cooperate with justice and restore the principles that have always guided me in my personal and professional life.”
