Fábio Coentrão, the former Real Madrid and Portugal international, finds himself embroiled in controversy after being accused of operating an unlicensed business at the Póvoa de Varzim fishing port in northern Portugal. Authorities discovered over a ton of seafood in his facility, with a significant portion lacking the required documentation.

What Did Authorities Find?

According to a report by the Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Security, and Maritime Services (DGRM), officials confiscated 1,020 kilograms of seafood stored in 12 seawater tanks. Of this haul:

• 760 kilograms were undocumented.
• 260 kilograms had proper invoices but were also seized due to the lack of a valid business license.

The confiscated seafood is set to be either returned to the ocean or assessed for donation to charitable organizations.

The business, established just seven months ago, had already been warned by the Food and Economic Security Authority (ASAE) to cease operations for failing to meet legal requirements. However, Coentrão reportedly did not comply, prompting the authorities to shut down the facility.

The Organization of Artisanal Fishing Producers, which owns the space rented by Coentrão, denied any connection to the irregularities and stated that other leased properties in the area have not encountered similar issues.

Coentrão’s Post-Football Life

After retiring in 2021 following a successful career with clubs such as Real Madrid, Benfica, and Monaco, Coentrão transitioned to a quieter life, embracing his passion for the sea and fishing. Following in his father’s footsteps, the former footballer invested in fishing boats and maritime ventures.

“The day would come when football would end, and I knew I wanted to dedicate myself to the sea. This is the life I want to lead,” Coentrão shared in a prior interview.

However, this latest development casts a shadow over his new career and raises questions about the future of his business endeavors.