Mateus Galiano Costa Angolan footballer, striker Date of Birth: 19.06.1984 Country: Angola

1. Mateus' Career Summary
2. Transfer to Gil Vicente
3. Belenenses' Complaint
4. Court Intervention and FIFA Response
5. Gil Vicente's Punishment

Mateus' Career Summary

Mateus is an Angolan footballer who currently plays as a forward for the Portuguese club Boavista. He is also a member of the Angola national football team and participated in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Transfer to Gil Vicente

In the 2005/06 season, Gil Vicente, a bottom-dwelling club in the Portuguese top-flight, signed Mateus. However, after the season ended, it was discovered that Mateus did not have a properly registered professional football status with FIFA and was therefore ineligible to play in the top league.

Belenenses' Complaint

Relegated club Belenenses filed a complaint with the Portuguese Football Federation, which resulted in Gil Vicente being expelled from the top league. Their spot was taken by Belenenses, who had filed the complaint.

Court Intervention and FIFA Response

Gil Vicente appealed the decision to a civil court, which ruled in their favor. However, FIFA took a strong stance against the club's actions, emphasizing that all football-related legal matters should be handled exclusively by sporting organizations. FIFA threatened to ban Portuguese clubs and the national team from international competitions if the ruling was not overturned.

Gil Vicente's Punishment

Ultimately, Gil Vicente was relegated to the second division and deducted 6 points for their involvement in the civil court case.