The American group Lenore Sports Partners has acquired a stake of over 5% in Benfica’s SAD (Sociedade Anónima Desportiva).

In a statement sent to the market, the “Eagles” confirmed that investor Jean-Marc Chapus purchased a block of seized shares previously owned by former president Luís Filipe Vieira, corresponding to more than 3% of the SAD’s capital, in an auction held last week. The investment amounted to more than five million euros.

Additionally, Chapus acquired another block of shares corresponding to 1.85% of Benfica’s SAD from other unidentified investors, bringing the total stake in the club’s SAD to 5.24%, along with his partner Elliot Hayes.

Benfica Challenges Auction

The Portuguese club has announced that it will contest the auction because it was not notified to exercise its preemptive right over the shares of its former president.

“The club has not received any notification regarding its preemptive right on the transfer of the aforementioned shares. Therefore, as a precautionary measure, it has requested the annulment of the sale and has not been notified of any ruling regarding this claim,” Benfica stated.

The club had previously announced that it participated in the auction, but its bid was outbid by another investor. It is now known that this higher offer came from the American group, which bid over seven euros per share.

Lenore Aims to Be a “Productive Partner”

In August, Bloomberg reported that Jean-Marc Chapus and Elliot Hayes’s Lenore was seeking funds to purchase a stake of more than 16% in Benfica’s SAD, currently owned by José António dos Santos, the largest individual shareholder of the club.

This week, José António dos Santos stated in an interview with the Portuguese business daily Jornal de Negócios that he is only interested in selling his stake if he can sell all his Benfica shares for at least 12 euros per share.

In a statement, Lenore said it wants to be “a productive partner” alongside Benfica and emphasized that it does not intend to be involved in the team’s “sporting decisions.”

“We appreciate and respect the long and exceptional culture of Benfica fans and want to see Benfica win for many years to come,” said Lenore, adding that it will remain silent over the next few weeks.

Benfica could be crowned national champions this weekend if they achieve a better result than their rivals Sporting.