Porto cleared to play in Champions League despite match-fixing inquiry

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Porto were convicted of attempting to bribe referees in the domestic Super Liga season in 2003-2004, the same season in which they won the Champions League

That decision was then overturned on appeal as a UEFA committee concluded that
the investigation in Portugal was not yet complete, leading Benfica and Guimaraes to appeal.

Porto won the Super Liga last season - despite being docked six points in the scandal - to earn automatic entry into the Champions League.

If they had been denied access, Guimaraes stood to take an automatic spot as the third-placed club, while Benfica, who finished fourth, would have been entered at the qualifying stage.

Today's decision means that Benfica will have to be content with a UEFA Cup place.

'The appeals filed on 26 June 2008 by Sport Lisboa e Benfica Futebol SAD and
Vitoria Sport Clube against the decision issued on 13 June 2008 by the UEFA
Appeals Body are dismissed,' the CAS statement said.

UEFA rules state that a club entering the Champions League 'must not be or have been involved in any activity aimed at arranging or influencing the outcome of a match at national or international level'.

However, UEFA said the decision on whether to submit Porto's name for entry was a decision for the Portuguese League (LPFP) following an investigation of the club's activities.

LPFP in May chose to submit Porto's name, ruling that the matter had been dealt with by the points deduction.

In their announcement, CAS said the full award with the grounds will be published at a later date.

Hearings were held on Monday and deliberation continued into the early hours on
Tuesday.

CAS said the costs of the case must be borne in equal shares by Benfica,
Guimaraes and UEFA.