The country's most modern sports arena ready to host Sporting CP

The 21st of June 2017, which is curiously exactly 15 years since the opening of the Sporting Academy, will be remembered as the day that the João Rocha Arena officially opened its doors to the public.

The ceremony got underway at 17h00 with the inauguration of the Visconde de Alvalade roundabout (between the arena and the stadium), proudly showing the words of president Bruno de Carvalho: "Talent is needed, but only with hard work, fighting spirit, drive, attitude and dedication to this club's objectives will be be champions."

The ceremony was attended by hundreds of well known Sporting CP personalities and also saw the president of the Lisbon Municipal Council, Fernando Medina, take to the stage to share his thoughts: "We shouldn't be scared to state facts. This is an historic moment for this great institution and for our city. I remember very well the world's best ever hockey team: "Ramalhete, Rendeiro, Sobrinho, Chana and Livramento. The fantasies of every Sporting CP fans are packed full of athletes who have been fundamental across a range of sports. Sporting CP is a massive part of Portuguese sport."

Bruno de Carvalho himself took on the role as presenter, calling up to the stage various people who have played a crucial part in building the arena, including the German architect Andreas Moerschel.

Bruno de Carvalho on the role of the latest Sporting Academy School

Bruno de Carvalho was in Guatemala this week to sign a cooperation agreement with Menedy FC, signalling the opening of the second Sporting Academy School in Central America. "Menedy FC have done a fantastic job. We want to work together responsibility and to give back to the community. Football is much more than just a business. Menedy FC are a great club, that is why we picked them. We recognise talent an a partner that shares our vision", said the Sporting CP leader at the signing ceremony.

His Menedy FC counterpart, Mario Meneses, also gave his personal backing to the new project: "This is an historic day for Guatemala, agreeing a deal with such a big club. Hopefully this year we will send two players across to Sporting CP. We want to open up doors in Europe and we will play like Sporting CP do. Now we have what we need to develop our athletes."

Bruno de Carvalho on recent loses

Speaking with the press this week, the Sporting CP president Bruno de Carvalho didn't spare criticism of last weekend's defeat at the hands of Os Belenenses.

"It wasn't want we wanted. The fans came out in force and the only thing we can do is apologise. This match has nothing to do with what Sporting CP is. The fans don't deserve what they saw. I'm no interested in how we did going forward, I am interested in winning. This club cannot be this. We all have to reflect on today, including directors, coaches and athletes. There is no excuse for giving such a bad day to the fans when we had a full stadium of fans", said Bruno de Carvalho, adding: "Unfortunately at the end of the match I can not say that the fans are happy. The fans believe in this project, more than the coach or the players, and they have been fantastic despite what has been a terrible season."

To finish the Alvalade president commented on the recent UEFA Futsal Cup final loss: "I cannot arrive in Kazakhstan and see Sporting CP beaten so badly in the final of that competition and then come to Alvalade and see another defeat full of mistakes. As president, I am saying that enough is enough. Everything has to be different next season. Sporting CP has to win, not make excuses."

Bruno de Carvalho and Rui Pedro Soares host event in Alvalade

The Sporting CP and OS Belenenses chiefs Bruno de Carvalho and Rui Pedro Soares were the ideal example of fair play between rival clubs in an event this Saturday. Alvalade and Belenenses skippers Adrien Silva and Tiago Caeiro were also on hand, in an initiative geared around discussing football in general and building up institutional relations between the two Lisbon sides.

Around two dozens youngsters also joined in the occasion, taking photographs in a mix of both sides' kits.

Bruno de Carvalho reflects on the introduction of the video-referee

The Portuguese Football Federation and and Portuguese Football League have officially announced that the video assistant referee will be used in national championship matches in 2017/2018.

For president Bruno de Carvalho, the decision is a welcome one following the club's proposal over recent seasons: "Today will go down in history. People are listening to those who have been defending the idea of the video assistant referee for a long time now. We are don't expect this to fix everything, but it will avoid some of the biggers errors, which Sporting CP has consistently been on the receiving end of. Football is changing."

Visiting the Santa Maria Sporting Supporters' Club in the Azores, the Alvalade leader was understandably happy with the announcement: "History is proving us right. Funds are banned and their is a real revolution going on in UEFA and FIFA, with new technology helping to give credibility. Everything that certain people were saying has proven not to be true. Clubs haven't gone bankrupt without funds and the video assistant referee isn't just the idea of a populist. My vision for Sporting CP and football in general was right."

Bruno de Carvalho on the success of The Future of Football International Congress

Bruno de Carvalho made his closing comments at the III The Future of Football International Congress this Thursday. For the Alvalade chief, this year's event adds further to what is becoming an initiative referenced internationally.

"We have been on the front line, putting forward proposals. We have to recognise what is wrong and think about the future, like Emanuel Medeiros told us. We want Sporting CP to take on a role globally. Since I arrived I have been fighting for my club, to make sure we don't stagnate. We have to work together as a team and think outside of the box. Speaking about integrity and honestly in football isn't enough, we have to actually do something and that is what this congress is about", said Bruno de Carvalho.

The Sporting CP president gave the example of the video-referee which will be used in this season's Portuguese Cup final: "We are really proud to see technology being used in the Portuguese Cup final. We have been making proposals in relation to results, where funds come from and other issues such as refereeing. We are right to try and encourage change and we are ready to fight for the club and for football in general. This congress is hosted by Sporting CP and is part of our strategy. This is how we want to contribute to the industry."

Bruno de Carvalho opens III The Future of Football International Congress

Speaking in a packed auditorium, Bruno de Carvalho officially opened this year's The Future of Football International Congress this Wednesday.

"This congress has been really important for football. We will speak about various issues here that should be debated, such as academies, brands and training. We have speakers including some of the best coaches in the world, including Jorge Jesus, Fernando Santos and Francisco 'Pacho' Maturana", said the Alvalade president in his opening comments, going on to add: "It is a privilege to contribute to this industry with our proposals. Our role isn't limited to what happens on the pitch and clubs and everyone involved in sport should contribute with ideas. Our objective has to be the defence of true sportsmanship. We are really happy to see new technologies being introduced, like the video-referee which will be used in the Portuguese Cup final. We congratulate UEFA and FIFA for their role in that."

"From me and Sporting CP, I wish you all a good congress", finished Bruno de Carvalho.

Alvalade president offers his most sincere condolences for Marco Ficini's family and friends

Depois de o Sporting Clube de Portugal has issued a statement following the tragic events last night which resulted in the death of one of our club's fans. President Bruno de Carvalho has publicly presented his most sincere condolences for the family and friends of Marco Ficini.

These events are extremely saddening, on a day which should be focused on the good spirited party that is the Lisbon derby. The Alvalade leader has appealed to all Sporting CP fans to show "behaviour worthy of the  Sporting CP".

Bruno de Carvalho's message in full:

Bruno de Carvalho returns to Lisbon after a fruitful visit to Costa Rica

The Alvalade president Bruno de Carvalho touched down in the Portuguese capital this Saturday, following a productive trip to Costa Rica to open a new Sporting Academy School.

"Sporting CP is the first club to open an academy in Costa Rica. It is really important for our strategy and what we are planning to do in Central and South America. We also used the opportunity to meet with the Costa Football Federation and to talk about ladies football, beach soccer and futsal. We also had the chance to make make contact with other Central American countries. It was really interesting and all of the kids who were there really enjoyed it. Firstly for having the opportunity to put on the Sporting CP shirt, but also because they met Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell", opened Bruno de Carvalho, adding: "It is a another academy and another country that we are working directly. They have a lot of promising young players over there and that is really important for us. A club like Sporting CP has to be in Costa Rica, not just because of the brand but also because of the talent there. As a club specialised in training we want to contribute to the development of football in Costa Rica."

The Sporting CP president finished with a word on the Football Talks conference hosted in Lisbon this week: "Football cannot be separated from new technologies...when I started speaking about Video Assistant Referees four years ago nobody listened. Including those who are now going to conferences and saying good things about it. I guess I was right after all, because everyone says football with have technology involved."

Bruno de Carvalho at the Wilmer López Academy

Bruno de Carvalho's visit to Costa Rica continued this week. After opening the first Sporting Academy School in Central America, the Sporting CP president was at the Wilmer López Academy where Costa Rica are gearing up for their coming World Cup 2018 qualifiers.