EX-REAL Madrid star Fabio Coentrao is under investigation after seeing more than a TON of allegedly illegal shellfish seized by authorities in a warehouse he owns, according to reports in Portugal.
The 36-year-old retired from football in 2021 and turned to fishing as his new career.
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However, the 52-cap Portuguese international has now seen over a ton – 1020 kilograms to be exact – of illegal goods seized in a raid on a warehouse at the Póvoa de Varzim fishing port in northern Portugal belonging to Coentrao.
According to Jornal de Noticias, the General Directorate of Natural Resources, Security and Maritime Services (DGRM) took possession of 12 tanks of water filled with seafood including crabs, lobster and shrimp.
These tanks are said to have held 760kg worth of undocumented goods and a further 260kg with an invoice but without a license for selling, meaning they were also confiscated.
Investigators claim Coentrao rented a vessel to carry out an unlicensed business.
The report suggests the Autoridade de Segurança Alimentaria e Económica (ASAE), had already urged Coentrao to close the business, which had been operating for seven months, after failing to meet legal requirements.
Coentrao previously stated how he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps.
He declined to testify regarding the incident and has already been informed of the closure of the facility.
The goods will now be examined by authorities to ascertain whether they will be destroyed or donated to charity.
The company that owns the space the facility is rented on, the Organization of Artisanal Fishing Producers, have denied any connection to the irregularities.
They added other leased properties in the area have not encountered similar issues.
Coentrao is also alleged to have threatened and insulted reporters who were at the scene when authorities were seizing goods.
He was caught on camera saying: “Haven’t you seen the news? Do you know what you’re doing? Don’t make the same mistake as the Jornal de Notícias. (…) Don’t film my house. (…) I’m warning you.”
Coentrao won ten titles with Real Madrid, including two Champions Leagues, three with Benfica including the Portuguese League title and one Portuguese League Cup with Sporting Lisbon.