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João Noronha Lopes, candidate for the Benfica elections in October, clarified, this Wednesday, why he had lunch with Luís Filipe Vieira at Estádio da Luz, where, presumably, the current president of the Eagles would have invited the businessman to be part of his ready for the next quarter.
Statement from João Noronha Lopes:
«Today the news came out that I would have had lunch with Luís Filipe Vieira before announcing my candidacy. It is true!
Last June I was invited by Luís Filipe Vieira to be vice president of his board. First by telephone contact and then, despite my refusal, by personal contact.
At that lunch, face to face, I had the opportunity to tell Luís Filipe Vieira that I would never support him and that he would never be on his list. And the reasons that led to my refusal are the same that led me to run for president of the club. We have reached the end of a cycle and we need to turn the page.
We want a more ambitious Benfica focused on sporting success. We want a Benfica that puts the members at the center of the club’s life. And we want a much more transparent and credible Benfica.
Despite this denial, Luis Filipe Vieira assured me that I would have a spot on his list whenever he wanted, perhaps in the hope that the strategy he used in the past to nullify some opponents would work for me. It does not work. I do not give in to these invitations.
That is why I reaffirm here to the Benfica fans: I am in these elections to win, I am in these elections to fight for what I believe are the best interests of our club. And again I challenge the candidate Luís Filipe Vieira from here: do not hide, come to debate with all the candidates. Not out of respect for the candidates, but out of respect for the members of our club.
