SAO PAULO (AP) - A Brazilian club says the national football federation offered financial relief to keep it from fighting against relegation.
Portuguesa says it received a document from the federation offering a loan on the condition that it accepted a controversial sports tribunal decision that demoted the club.
The tribunal last year stripped Portuguesa of four points for using a player irregularly, a ruling that kept traditional Rio de Janeiro club Fluminense in the top flight.
A Sao Paulo court recently ordered the federation to revert the sports tribunal decision, but a long legal dispute was expected.
The document, obtained by ESPN Brasil, said CBF would advance nearly $2 million to Portuguesa if it stayed in the second division.
Portuguesa said Monday it advised prosecutors about the offer.
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