Former Porto coach believes democracy was upheld in Wednesday's general assembly and explains why he voted against the club's accounts for the 2022/23 season.

André Villas-Boas will present his candidacy for the presidency of FC Porto in January, the former Porto coach revealed on Wednesday.

"I remain convinced to run for elections. The presentation of the candidacy is a mere formality and will be done in January," he announced, speaking to reporters as he left the Dragão Arena.

The (yet to be officially confirmed) candidate for the club's elections spoke after the general assembly to approve the club's report and accounts for the past season. It was a meeting of disparate opinions but without incidents, with lower attendance than expected: 819 people.

Villas-Boas believes that democracy was upheld: "It ends in the early hours of the morning, but everyone feels the good spirit of Porto, good attendance, and a free democratic expression of what every member thinks. Above all, it was democratic in the general assembly." AVB Votes Against Accounts and Seeks Improvements

The accounts for 2022/23 were approved with 52.9% of votes in favor. Specifically, there were 434 favorable votes, 187 against, and 198 abstentions, against the backdrop of a reported loss of 2.4 million euros.

Villas-Boas, who demanded that the board return the bonuses awarded in the last season, voted against the approval of the accounts and explains why.

"There is an accumulation of debt that is evident. When the accumulated liability is 499 million, it is evident and has been growing over the years. There is an operational bankruptcy here that needs to be corrected," he points out.

Nevertheless, the former Porto coach acknowledges that the board of the "president of presidents of FC Porto," Pinto da Costa, "showed signs of wanting to improve in this aspect." The example was given at the general assembly, where Fernando Gomes, financial administrator, assured that there would be no bonuses for the administration next year.