“There must be calm”, says handball chief after Porto, Sporting talks | OneFootball

Miguel Laranjeiro, president of the Portuguese Handball Federation, met this Tuesday with Frederico Varandas and André Villas-Boas in a meeting that brought together the presidents of Sporting and FC Porto with the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Margarida Balseiro Lopes. At the end, the official explained what had been discussed and admitted that he would like to see “an atmosphere of collaboration” among everyone.

“We had this meeting with the presidents of Sporting and FC Porto at the request and invitation of the Minister and the Secretary of State, and we heard what each of them had to say. [It was] calm. The board [of the Handball Federation] did what it had to do, reporting to the FPF Disciplinary Council the procedure regarding what had happened in the match. Let me also say that this week we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic. And this is a state governed by the rule of law,” he began by telling reporters.

“They are two very important clubs for the sport. Just look at the National Team. It is very important for the Portuguese Handball Federation that FC Porto, Sporting and Benfica, as well as many others, are able to engage in dialogue. And in handball that has been happening. Obviously, we would all like to see an atmosphere of collaboration. Everyone wants to win on the field, whether in handball or in football. But there must be a change within the discourse and the sharing. It is important. That [the case in the Dragão locker room] is all being looked into. As you can imagine, I am not a doctor and I was not on the field. We defend the integrity of all players in the sport and we are following the matter, but there is a time for everything. In recent days, it seems there are more commentators than national citizens. We need to stay calm. There has to be time for the Disciplinary Council to do its work. It will do its job in its own time.”

How do you view this whole situation? Should this meeting have taken place?

“The decision to hold the meeting was made by the Minister’s office and the Secretary of State, and we, as members of the handball community and those responsible for the competitions, came to represent the Federation.”

Is handball paying the price for what is happening in football?

“Well, that may be your interpretation… Now there is the handball case, but I believe not all of you journalists and the cameras would be here if this case were only about handball.”

Do you think this meeting will change anything in the atmosphere surrounding Portuguese sport?

“That is a good question, and I hope so. I am not the one who has influence over those issues. That is my wish. If the meeting is the beginning of something more positive from now on, we will all be happier.”

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