“We confirm that, as part of a case led by the Lisbon Public Prosecutor’s Office, searches with a view to gathering evidence were carried out,” a source from the Office told Lusa News Agency.

The confirmation came hours after Lusa questioned the Public Prosecutor’s Office about searches at the Benfica offices related to “gifts” to refereeing teams, which were alleged over a year ago by the President of rival football club Sporting.

On Tuesday morning Benfica said it was focused on “shedding light upon and (bringing) a quick decision to” the so-called ‘vouchers case’, of which Sporting president Bruno Carvalho had accused Benfica.

In a television programme in October 2015, Bruno de Carvalho said Benfica gave complementary gifts to the refereeing teams at all games, the overall value of which was around €250,000 per year.