[ad_1]
Benfica reacted to the decision of the DGS not to allow the presence of fans in the boxes for Saturday’s game.
Release:
«Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Futebol, SAD was informed this morning by the Portuguese League of the receipt by that entity of an email dated yesterday at 23:39 hours, from the General Director of Health, Dr. Graça Freitas, understanding that there was no Authorization of the invitation made by our club to the presence of a limited number of members, Casas do Benfica and sponsors in the presidential box, in the game that takes place this afternoon at Estádio da Luz.
Taking note of this decision, it is necessary to clarify:
1 – Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Futebol, SAD took this initiative in accordance with the Manual of Procedures of the Portuguese League regulations defined for this 2020/2021 season, where it expressly refers to the possibility of occupying up to 50% of the numbers seat of the presidential stands.
2 – We consider it absolutely inadmissible and regrettable that, after all, the Portugal League, in a recurring demonstration of incompetence and negligence on the part of its main responsible parties, has not validated with the General Directorate of Health and competent entities the regulations that it has defined and transmitted as insurance to the clubs in the Official Manual of Competitions.
3 – The Portugal League, its president and its main leaders responsible for the organization and management of the competitions must assume full responsibility for the level of amateurism that they reveal, by defining in the League Manual express rules and guidelines that were not duly validated with the competent authorities, nor inform the clubs in due time of this breach, damaging once again the image of Portuguese football.
4 – In addition, it would be important to clarify how the Portugal League intends to implement this recommendation, since it is public knowledge that, in the first round of the Championship, several clubs put this League authorization into practice, in models that varied from club to club. .
5 – Nor can we fail to express our incomprehension due to the fact that, having known about this initiative for several days, it was only last night that the General Directorate of Health expressly informed the League of this impossibility and the need for a prior request in this regard. . felt by the respective club, which was never seen in the face of what is expressly authorized by the Competitions Manual.
6 – Not wanting to enter into a discussion about the coherence of the criteria that determine the decisions of the Health authorities, we take the opportunity to highlight the example of civility, organization and rigor with which the clubs have adopted and managed all the guidelines to safeguard and protect public health. , despite the recurring examples of negligence on the part of the Portuguese League management.
7 – Finally, we inform that we immediately inform the DGS of this decision to the guests who would be considered by this initiative, reiterating the enormous desire to, as soon as possible, return to the pleasure of the gradual return of the public to the stadiums, thus allowing evolution of the situation.
Lisbon, September 26, 2020 »
