In a communique, the service said they monitored 20 associations and (football) clubs in varfious parts Portugal to investigate different league players.

Some 241 football players, 135 of who are not nationals, were identified, SEF said without indicating the period in which the action took place.

“{…) 47 [players], all of legal age, were in here illegally, either because they did not have any visa or residency authorisation, or because they were not entitled to play professional football,” SEF said.

According to SEF, 32 players were notified to leave the country voluntarily within 20 days, under penalty of being expelled in case of non-compliance.

The service has also notified 15 others, who may be able to stay in the country, to resolve their situation.