Otávio, along with a few teammates at FC Porto, celebrated his birthday until the early hours. Something the coaching staff did not appreciate at all, as the team is in a 'below-par' fourth place. The club handed out sanctions, according to the Portuguese media.
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Since the beginning of this week, the Portuguese press has been buzzing with reports about a controversy that has grown into a full-blown scandal, shaking the foundations of FC Porto at a critical point in their season.
The issue centers around Brazilian defender Otávio, who, along with several of his teammates, was involved in a late-night party that blatantly violated the club’s internal disciplinary rules.
On Sunday night, Otávio, who had just turned 23, decided to celebrate his birthday in style. What was initially expected to be a small gathering among teammates quickly escalated into a much larger event that extended into the early hours of Monday morning. The party, reportedly held at a private venue in Porto, did not end until four o’clock in the morning a shocking breach of the club’s strict curfew policy, which requires all players to be home by eleven o’clock.
FC Porto, one of Portugal’s most successful and storied football clubs, is currently enduring a frustrating and underwhelming season. Sitting fourth in the league table, ten points behind the top two, the club has struggled to find consistency on the pitch. This off-field incident only added fuel to the fire, prompting immediate and stern action from the club’s management and coaching staff, who are desperate to salvage the remainder of the season.
According to the respected Portuguese sports daily A Bola, seven players were identified as participants in the unauthorized celebration: Otávio, Danny Namaso, Samu Aghehowa, William, Tiago Djaló, Patricio Nehuén Pérez, and Martim Fernandes. Each of these players now faces consequences, though the severity of their punishments varied depending on their involvement and the time they returned home.
Otávio, as the organizer and central figure of the event, received the harshest sanction. In addition to a substantial financial penalty, the young Brazilian has been ordered to train twice daily until further notice, a demanding regimen designed to reinforce discipline and focus. Moreover, he has been excluded from the squad for the upcoming match against Estrela da Amadora, which is set to take place on Saturday, April 26, at 21:30. This match is seen as a crucial fixture for Porto, who are trying to secure a European competition spot for next season.
The other players involved did not escape unscathed. Nehuén Pérez and Martim Fernandes, while fined, were treated more leniently after they provided evidence that they had returned home around 1 AM – still after the curfew, but significantly earlier than the others. The club acknowledged their comparatively lesser involvement, but nonetheless issued penalties to maintain the integrity of its disciplinary framework.
The scandal sent shockwaves through the team, and the message from the management was clear: professionalism and commitment are non-negotiable. Interestingly, the very next day, Porto midfielder Marko Grujic celebrated his own birthday. This time, the gathering was much more subdued and compliant with club rules. Only five teammates attended, and the event was concluded by 10:30 PM, reflecting a more responsible approach in the aftermath of the controversy.
This incident has reignited debates about player discipline and the pressures faced by footballers, especially in top-flight teams with high expectations. Critics have pointed out that such behavior undermines team cohesion and focus, particularly when the team is underperforming. Supporters, however, have called for balanced judgment, emphasizing the importance of morale and the human side of athletes.
Meanwhile, young talent Rodrigo Mora, just 17 years old, has earned praise for steering clear of the celebrations altogether. His decision to distance himself from the situation has further elevated his status as a promising and mature figure within the squad. Many see him as a future star for both Porto and potentially the national team. His breakthrough into the first team has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise turbulent season.
As FC Porto prepares for their clash with Estrela da Amadora, all eyes will be on how the team responds on the pitch. The club’s leadership is hoping that the disciplinary measures will serve as a turning point, reinforcing the values of dedication and unity needed to finish the season strongly. Fans are eager to see whether this scandal will galvanize the squad or leave lingering divisions as the campaign heads towards its final stretch.
