Topics: Portugal, Porto, Sporting, Jorge Mendes, Iker Casillas, James Rodriguez
Portuguese tax authorities staged a numerous searches in connection to tax frauds and money laundering allegation.

Portuguese public prosecutors and tax authorities have raided the homes of former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas and renowned football agent Jorge Mendes as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering and tax fraud. The authorities also reportedly searched offices of Benfica and Porto in a bid to attain evidence in their probe of the scandal which has been around since 2015.

The aforementioned were part of the 76 locations visted by the Portuguese attorney's office in the latest stage of what has been dubbed as Operation Fora de Jogo (Operation Offside). About a month ago, information brought to light by Football Leaks indicated that there was money laundered by certain individuals at certain top clubs in the Primiera. At FC Porto, for instance, there were red flags raised with regards to the transfers of players such Radamel Falcao, James Rodríguez and Iker Casillas.

While the allegations were swiftly refuted by the Portuguese clubs cited, the case has since been opened. A statement issued by the Portuguese tax authority read as follows: "As part of an investigation conducted by the Public Ministry of the Central Department of Investigation and Penal Action (DCIAP) and whose investigation is in charge of the Tax and Customs Authority (AT), 76 searches are underway, including house searches, namely, in several football clubs, their societies and managers, law firms and intermediaries," said the attorney's office in a statement.

"The investigation is likely to be part of the practice of crimes of qualified tax fraud and money laundering..The facts under investigation and which motivated the opening of the cases in question originated in several inspection procedures carried out since 2015 by the Tax and Customs Authority, and driven by it, based on the information available internally, within the scope of business related to the world of professional football."

On Wednesday, more than 300 tax and police inspectors from the public prosecutor's office were involved in the activity with the offices of clubs such as Porto, Benfica, Sporting, Braga, Guimarães, Marítimo, Estoril and Portimonense all subjected to scrutiny.

According to Portuguese magazine Sabado, the homes of Casillas, Jackson Martinez, Maxi Pereira and Danilo Pereira were searched whiles FC Porto president Pinto da Costa and Benfica president Luís Filipe Vieira were also targeted. Carlos Osório de Castro, the lawyer of Cristiano Ronaldo, also had his office inspected and the representative of the Juventus superstar Gestifute - owned by Jorge Mendes - also had their offices in Lisbon and Porto subjected to a search. Two of Mendes' residence in Lisbon were also inspected by the authorities.

Following Wednesday's activity, Benfica issued a statement confirming the search.

"Sport Lisboa e Benfica - Futebol SAD and its Chairman of the Board of Directors confirm the search this morning for their facilities, reaffirming their total availability, as always, to collaborate with the authorities in clarifying all issues that may arise. be raised under this or any other process," the statement read.

Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas also revealed in a social media post his home had been searched by the tax authorities but stated he was co-operating with the ongoing probe.