Benfica petition on television rights centralisation to be debated in Assembleia da República | OneFootball

Benfica’s petition against the planned centralisation of professional football’s television rights has crossed the 7,500-signature threshold for a plenary debate in the Assembleia da República, Glorioso 1904 reports.

Launched on 8 August, the move contests the planned model for selling audiovisual rights. As of Tuesday, the petition, titled "Pela suspensão e revisão do Modelo de Comercialização Centralizada dos Direitos Audiovisuais", had 7,684 signatures. Rui Costa is listed as the first signatory.

It has been open for subscription on the Assembleia da República website since 10 August and will remain available for a further 50 days, until 28 September.

Benfica is seeking to halt implementation of the current centralisation plan until an independent technical, economic and legal assessment is carried out. The club set out its position in a 10 August statement calling for that analysis before any rollout.

Alongside suspension, the club wants the existing solutions in the process to be reviewed.

A plenary debate could trigger several institutional steps. Parliament’s guidance notes say a petition evaluation may lead to notification of the competent minister for possible legislative or administrative action, referral to the Procurador-Geral da República, Polícia Judiciária or Provedor de Justiça, the launch of a parliamentary inquiry, or the tabling of a bill or resolution.

Source: Glorioso 1904

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”