Pedro Proença hails Supertaça low-alcohol pilot as victory for Portuguese football | OneFootball

Pedro Proença hailed the Supertaça pilot allowing low-alcohol drinks as a landmark for Portuguese football, calling the outcome highly positive. The federation president said in a post that it felt like a victory and could be the first step.

On Saturday Porto beat Torreense 1-0 to lift the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira in Coimbra. The Government had authorised sales and consumption of low-alcohol beverages inside the stadium for this match, despite a ban in sports venues dating back to the 1980s.

The pilot applied only to this fixture, with results to be assessed afterwards. Officials will review the initiative in the context of preparations for the 2030 World Cup.

Proença argued the move answered a long-standing request from clubs for equal treatment with other entertainment industries and foreign competitors. He highlighted potential safety benefits and an additional revenue stream, and praised the atmosphere among supporters who enjoyed a fuller matchday experience.

He thanked the Government and the ministries of Internal Administration, Health, and Youth and Sport for their trust, and congratulated professional and non-professional clubs for their perseverance. He described it as a significant step and expressed hope it would lead towards a shared goal.

Any further initiatives at football or other sports will depend on the pilot’s findings and the evaluation by the relevant bodies, as well as their relevance to 2030 World Cup planning, with event safety, consumer protection and public health prioritised.

Source: O Jogo