Nottingham Forest owner accused of favouring Olympiacos – Presidential candidate questions transfers

Rio Ave presidential candidate Avelino Fernandes accuses Marinakis of favouring Olympiacos in transfers, claiming players Clayton and André Luiz were sold for less than competing offers.

Avelino Fernandes, a 36-year-old businessman running for Rio Ave president, has publicly criticised Evangelos Marinakis over transfer dealings within his multi-club network. Fernandes claims that players Clayton and André Luiz were sold to Olympiacos in January and February for significantly less than other clubs had offered, directly harming Rio Ave's finances.

Fernandes told Portuguese newspaper A Bola that André Luiz was sold to Olympiacos for €6-7m despite Benfica offering €14m in January, and that Clayton received a lower offer than one from the UAE. He argues these deals only served Marinakis' interests rather than Rio Ave's. Marinakis has previously acknowledged rejecting offers exceeding €30m for both players, stating he wanted to strengthen Olympiacos.

Beyond transfers, Fernandes criticised the ownership structure in which Marinakis holds 80% of Rio Ave's football company, leaving the club with just 20%. He also questioned the current president's dual role managing both the club and the company, calling it a conflict of interest.

If elected, Fernandes promises to work with Marinakis while protecting Rio Ave's interests and appointing separate leadership for the football company.