Bernie Ecclestone Denies Arrest for Taking Shotgun into Portugal
BBC Sport journalist Keifer MacDonald reports on a recent incident involving former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.
Ecclestone, 95, claims he was stopped and questioned by four police officers and customs officials at the Tires Aerodrome in Cascais, Portugal, on Monday. He arrived from Switzerland with a shotgun intending to participate in a clay pigeon shooting competition.
The British businessman asserts that he was asked for information about the weapon and subsequently had to "surrender" it as he lacked the proper documentation for its importation. He maintains the Portuguese police were cooperative and denies any arrest, contrary to reports.
"I was going to take part in a clay pigeon shooting competition," Ecclestone explained. "I went to see the police and said, ‘What can I do for you?’ And they said, ‘We would like some information on this gun you brought in’."
This incident echoes a similar firearms issue Ecclestone faced in 2022 when he was arrested in Brazil for illegally carrying a gun while boarding a private plane to Switzerland. He was ordered to pay a fine to local authorities at that time.
