But Mr Socratessaid that under the terms of the deal, Portugal would be given more time to reach its budget deficit targets than had previously been expected.
Mr Clifford said he last spoke to Socrates at the end of the summer when the former Brazil captain was released from hospital after suffering from bleeding in his digestive tract.
It is thought that Greek philosopher Socrates became his own executioner - sentenced to death by drinking poison - and in ancient Athens it was said city magistrates kept a supply of poison for anyone wishing to die.