Pedro Proença’s anti-violence “constant plea”: “Just a date coincidence…” | OneFootball

The president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), Pedro Proença, reiterated this Wednesday the “constant” fight against violence, assuring that the federation will act whenever it considers that “things are not going the right way”.

The federation official presided over the launch of the “Stop Violence” campaign, held in the atrium of Arena Portugal, at the City of Football, in Oeiras, and stressed that the choice of date, precisely on the day the clássico between FC Porto and Sporting is being played, for the Portuguese Cup, is nothing more than a “mere coincidence”, although he did issue a warning.

“It is a mere coincidence of dates that this is happening today, on the day of the Portuguese Cup semi-final. The appeal is always made, whether in the Portuguese Cup semi-final match or in the 306 matches organized in the Primeira Liga, the same in the Segunda Liga and in all non-professional competitions. The appeal is constant and whenever we see that things are not going the right way, we will intervene. That will always be our role,” he said, making it clear that the FPF will remain attentive and ready to intervene whenever justified.

Regarding the match between FC Porto and Sporting, scheduled for this Wednesday at 20:45, the head of the FPF expressed confidence in a “good game”, framed by the positive “spirit” that usually surrounds the Portuguese Cup.

“We want satisfaction for the fans and we believe that today everything will go well and that it will be a great sporting spectacle,” wished the former referee.

Also on the clássico that will decide qualification for the Cup final, the president of the Portuguese Professional Footballers’ Union (SJPF), Joaquim Evangelista, criticized the “path” followed by Rui Costa, Frederico Varandas and André Villas-Boas, presidents of Benfica, Sporting and FC Porto.

“I think we have to be able to say it openly: it has nothing to do with the people, I respect all three, but I understand that in this context, which is sport, football, competition, they have chosen that path, but we must avoid it at all costs. It adds no value to national sport,” he said.

Joaquim Evangelista also stressed that the presidents of the three “big” clubs maintain an “institutional relationship”, although in periods of greater competitiveness they distance themselves from that coexistence, particularly over issues related to sporting results or refereeing, something he regrets.

“I think that, despite everything, they are able to maintain an institutional relationship. Then, at certain moments in the competition, atypical moments, which have to do with results or refereeing, there is a tendency to stray from what should be normal behavior, of mutual respect, of dignity, in their own relationship with each other. I do not understand how the leaders are unable to sit down together,” he pointed out.

The launch of the “Stop Violence” campaign also featured remarks by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Margarida Balseiro Lopes, the president of the Portuguese Professional Football League (LPFP), Reinaldo Teixeira, and Vítor Filipe, head of the Lisbon association and representative of the district structures at the event.

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