Varandas on handball row: “Villas-Boas mocked three people’s health” | OneFootball

Frederico Varandas spoke to journalists at the end of the Aurélio Pereira Tournament, an event held over the last few days, between April 10 and 12, 2026, at the SCP Complex. Among the various topics addressed, the Lions’ president commented on the words of André Villas-Boas, FC Porto’s leader, following the meeting with the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport:

«I heard the FC Porto president’s statements after the meeting with the minister because I was genuinely curious to see whether anything had been clarified, and I did not see a single question answered that all Portuguese people would like answered. I saw a somewhat ridiculous argument, which is to compare a fan’s behavior with the behavior of a professional structure, namely FC Porto. Then I saw a serious attack on freedom of expression, with a clear attempt to pressure commentators and journalists, and while we’re at it, I ask for some help in sending those statements to the president of the Sports Journalists Association, Mr. Manuel Queiroz, because the man was on Easter holiday and did not watch it».

«And even worse, he mocked the clinical condition of a coach, of a handball player, of a delegate… I still have not seen that situation clarified, unfortunately. Did I apologize or not? After those statements, I noticed that there were many people saying enough is enough, but Sporting did not start any of this. There is one club that attacked and another that was attacked. Sporting did not attack. Sporting welcomes opposing teams properly, does not show videos in the referees’ dressing room to influence them, does not have visiting teams feeling unwell when they go to João Rocha. But once again I feel silence and inaction from those who run sport in Portugal. If I did not speak up, who was going to defend Sporting?», he continued, in remarks reproduced by the national press.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.