Bruno de Carvalho signs protocol with Loures Municipal Council

Sporting Clube de Portugal and the Loures Municipal Council signed a protocol today which will help develop futsal in Loures and open up opportunities for young players. Taking part in the session was Bruno de Carvalho, Sporting president, Bernardino Soares, leader of the Loures Council, Rui Caeiro, Sporting board member, and Paulo Piteira Leão, vice-president for sport and youth.

Bruno de Carvalho praised the club's relationship with Loures, highlighting the area's support for Sporting's teams: "It is an honour to be here after 10 years of partnership between Sporting Clube de Portugal and the Loures Municipality. Sporting is an eclectic club and a lot of different sports, as well as social responsibility, are in our blood. Loures has been like a second home to us. We have always had a lot of respect for each other, because it is one of the cities that puts the most into the healthy development of its population. Let's hope that I am here in 10 years' time celebrating 20!"

"It is an important step for the Loures Municipal Council. Both entities get something out of this and you can see that in the word we have been doing", added Bernardino Soares, before announcing that 80 children will have the chance to access free training in the municipality.

President's interview with EFE

President Bruno de Carvalho gave an extensive interview to the Spanish news agency EFE this week, talking about various themes affecting national nad international football.

Funds were also inevitably reflected on, as well as Andre Carrillo, Bryan Ruiz's form and bids for William Carvalho.

Various references to the interview can be found below:

ABC

America TV

As

Cero a Cero

Deportes Terra

Diez

El Comercio

EFE

ESPN

El Dia

Express

Futbol Centro America

Iusport

La Republica

Latina

Marca

Mundo Deportivo

Sport

Teletica

Transfermarkt

Univision

WRadio

President Bruno de Carvalho reacts to IFAB decision on new technologies

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) today announced testing for the use of video technology in football in support of the sport's referees. Speaking about the decision,  president Bruno de Carvalho proved satisfied.

“It is a really important step. Yesterday I said that one of the characteristics of a leader is perseverance and we have to have clearly defined objectives. As everybody knows, I met with FIFA, which is part of the IFAB. We spoke for several hours about the theme of new technologies in football. I had already said several times that I had no doubt that sooner or later new technologies would have to come into football. This is a really good bit of news for everyone who loves football and for me as the president of Sporting, because it is another example that it is worth believing that the sport is going to modernise and is going to change. I have said it several times: the people in charge of football have understood that people are tired. They want a credible sport and that is what I have fought for since I started. This is not only important for me or for Sporting, but for the whole world of football", affirmed Bruno de Carvalho, adding: “About the issue of funds, I have no doubt that the next step to take will be the creation of possibilities for good financial partners to get involved in football. This is an experimental step, but it is a change in mentality and I have no doubt that football will have to fight hard change everything. This is great news for everybody, especially those who have fought for almost three years now. Three years ago we were here talking and people said that funds would never end and new technologies would come into football. After three years, the truth is that after a hard fight people have seen that football is important. It is a sport that moves millions, but there are millions more who want to enjoy it too."

Message from Bruno de Carvalho

Today may well be remembered as a day in the history of football: The International Football Association Board has opened its doors to the 21st century. It has just been announced that new technologies (in a test phase) will be introduced. This is an idea that Sporting Clube de Portugal has constantly defended over the last three years and now brings hope to all of those who fight for true sportsmanship.

Today is also a memorable day for Portuguese football and is an extraordinary opportunity. Let us hope that those in charge are up to the responsibility and expectations which will come with this change. You can, as always, count on Sporting Clube de Portugal!

Message from Bruno de Carvalho

Partnership with ECADInt for the construction of ten facilities

Following on from Canada and South Africa, the Sporting Academy Schools have now arrived in China! Through a partnership with the company ECADInt, a total of ten Sporting Academy Schools will be built around the world's most populous nation.

The partnership was officially signed off this morning in Estádio José Alvalade, signaling a giant step for Sporting on the international stage. “This is an important day for us. We want to show people the real dimension of this Club and this is confirmation that the world sees the value of Sporting. We are a global club, with Members and fans around the world and this is the result of the hard working people have been putting in. Now in Asia, the first step has been taken in the heart of China", said the Sporting President Bruno de Carvalho at the signing, continuing: “We have been looking to develop the Sporting brand abroad and the construction of Sporting Academy Schools in China and this partnership with ECADInt really contributes to that. This link between our two countries is massively important. China is developing football and their government is really backing the sport. Sporting is a strategic partner for training good local players to team up with the really good names who are already playing in China."

The Ballo d'Or winners Cristiano Ronaldo and Luís Figo are both products of the famous Alvalade youth system, acting as the benchmark for all promising young stars learning the trade at the Sporting Academy Schools.

“Cooperaiton between Portuguese and Chinese companies has been increasing and Portuguese football is really relevant. The Sporting Academy Schools are really good and the players who come out of them are known for their quality. This partnership leaves football in China on a good footing for the future", explained Xu Weili, Chinese Consul, in a backing reaffirmed by the president of ECADInt Portugal, Lin Han: "We wanted to being together people's desire to develop sport in China with Sporting's knowledge. Investment helps develop football in our country, but only the knowledge and talent of this Club can make it brilliant."

President Bruno de Carvalho, who will take advantage of Sporting's Europa League visit to Moscow (26th of November) to travel to Beijing to take part in a similar ceremony, went on to explain the difference between the Sporting Academy Schools and other youth systems around the world, paving the way for initiatives like the partnership with ECADInt: “The main focus of the agreement is building ten Academy Schools in China and we will be working on other initiatives too. ECADInt are 100% with us and contrary to other clubs, Sporting doesn't give its brand to anybody, we just work with local partners. That allows us to visit the spaces which we have built on a regular basis. We follow our Academies closely and that makes the difference. It is really important for Chinese footballers that we pay attention to the players at the Academies and one of the most important vectors is promoting the development of players with our know-how, but we will also be working with the coaches and teachers. We are open to exchange programmes with players from the Sporting Academy Schools in China, like we have done with the Toronto Academy for example."

“A lot of national and international clubs would like to be sitting here signing this partnership. Our policy focuses on training and Sporting will carry on to be a reference in the area. Training is in our DNA and that is why people recognise our capacity. this is a really important day for our Club and for Portugal, because Sporting is an ambassador for this country and we will continue to be", finished the Alvalade boss.

Bruno de Carvalho's reaction after Barcelona win

Bruno de Carvalho returned from Luxemburg just in time to watch Sporting secure a memorable 2-0 win over Barcelona this Saturday night, in the Roller Hockey Continental Cup.

“It was great. This kind of spirit is really important for the club. We are a strong team and this year our objective is to win in every sport. People still doubt it, but we showed what we can do here today. Like Nuno Lopes said, nothing is won yet, but it was worth the effort to get here and see these magnificent fans. We have our feet firmly planted and we know that nothing is won yet, but we can’t overlook the watch that we beat Barcelona 2-0 tonight. That is the Sporting that we want”, said the Sporting president in an interview with Sporting TV, adding: “We showed we can beat the best in the world in any sport.”

President Bruno de Carvalho with the press on Saturday night

The Sporting president spoke with the press on Saturday night, leaving a message for the fans and reflecting on the weekend’s chance to move clear at the top of I Liga:

“Firstly, I want to thank the thousands of Sporting fans who came here. We felt like we were playing at home and we should be proud of that. It is a really important that it continues to happen.

Secondly, it is important for us to reflect on how we think the fans are feeling. We are disappointed with the result, but we have to understand that the season is a marathon and not a 100m sprint. We will fight for the title to the end and we believe in the work we are doing. We need the support of our 12^th man and I am sure you will all be there with us.

There are also a few things I would like to share with you. I haven’t reached three years with the club yet, but this game has taught me things that the fans should know, because football looks like it is constantly changing.

Firstly, I was sent off at the end of the game. In the preparatory meeting, which I always go to, the refereeing team, namely the main referee, said that he didn’t want to stand out too much going on and off the pitch. At the game, I walked up to him and told him that for someone who didn’t want to stand out, he had in fact stood out too much. I was sent off. I learnt then that you can say whatever you want in the preparatory meeting, because it isn’t taken seriously and you can always do the opposite.

Secondly, I learnt that humility is not a characteristic to associate with referees. Some people think you need an ego the size of the world to be a referee, instead of being humble. I learnt that touching somebody’s back can rule out a goal, but pulling several players back in the area isn’t a penalty. It is an important change in the rules of the game and it isn’t worth getting upset about, because it is a rule now. I also learnt that brutal tackles and tackles from behind will not be disciplined. That is another new rule in the game. A player stops the ball with his hand then gets upset because he wasn’t given a free-kick, then runs after the player who supposedly fouled him and kicks him isn’t sent off. I also learnt that it is worth wasting time, because it isn’t the referee’s job to stop that happening, but rather to passively look at everything. A player can also be exactly where he should be for a substitution, knowing that he is coming off, but then go to the 18-yard box and then come back to be substituted. That isn’t punished and it is normal.”

Asked about the absence of Carrillo, Bruno de Carvalho responded: “We would only miss Carrillo if he had taken a refereeing course. What we are talking about here is the new rules of football.”

Relative to the naming of Artur Soares Dias to take charge of the weekend’s encounter, the Alvalade president added: “I don’t think it was strange and I have to say that I have a lot of consideration for Artur Soares Dias. I learnt a lot and I am upset, but I have to start changing how I think about the game, or I will always be upset. The rules changed and nobody told us, but maybe we can use the General Assembly tomorrow to explain the rules to the fans so they don’t criticise the referees.”

Confronted with a possible suspension, Carvalho responded: “If I am suspended, maybe I will go on holiday, because I have learnt a lot of new rules and I need a rest.“

Sporting president speaks with the Portuguese Football Federation

In the build-up to this Sunday’s Supercup between Sporting and Benfica, president Bruno de Carvalho has left a message on the Portuguese Football Federation’s official website

“I am writing this message with the pleasure of opening a new season in which Sporting Clube de Portugal will begin how we finished last season: with a match which decides another trophy.

In May we travelled to Jamor to face Sporting Clube de Braga, the last obstacle separating us from one of our objectives for the season. Now we travel to the Algarve to take on the national champion and to begin a new cycle by lifting the Cândido de Oliveira Supercup.

Cândido de Oliveira deserves a special mention. A lot of times when speaking about this trophy, people forget to remember a figure of national sport and of Sporting in particular. He knew everything there is to know about football. He was a player, the first captain of the national team, he was the coach behind the Five Violins, he was the national coach and he was a journalist and founder of the newspaper 'A Bola'. On and off the pitch, he was an exemplary citizen, decided to sport.

This is a competition that is different to all other. It gauges a moment, it takes the pulse of the teams and it entertains fans as they prepare for a long season full of emotions, dreams and triumphs.

The 9th of August is final day and it is another party and another opportunity for two clubs who are part of national football history to showcase the ideals of true sportsmanship. Both on and off the pitch, although a trophy is to be won, it is a chance for fair-play and for fans to enjoy their day.

On that note, I finish with a message for all of Sporting Clube de Portugal’s fans and Club Members who will travel to Algarve to support us like they did in Jamor: your support can take us that extra yard. We are counting on you for yet another showing of your unconditional support for the team, guided by our motto of Effort, Dedication Devotion and Glory!”

Statement from Sporting Clube de Portugal's Director of Communications

Godinho Lopes insinuates that Bruno de Carvalho thinks that Sporting Clube de Portugal began when he arrived. What Godinho Lopes in fact wants to do is draw attention away from the fact that Sporting was about to close when he left.

Godinho Lopes says that Bruno de Carvalho is not uniting all Sporting fans. Surely he is not referring to the 97.23% of Club Members who voted in favour of the Club’s budget in the General Assembly on the 29th of June. When speaking about unity, Godinho Lopes is surely speaking about the Club Members who will travel to Switzerland to testify against our Club, or those who use the media as a tool for attacking Sporting and its governing bodies.

Godinho Lopes speaks about “management based on fear” when he should be speaking about “fearless management”. Fearless in taking on a club which Godinho Lopes left on the verge of bankruptcy, fearless in taking on a club which had finished in its worst position ever in the league and a management which now has Sporting fighting for titles, a management which isn’t scared of the truth and which will take on all who are against the Club.

Sporting Clube de Portugal Director of Communications

Mário Carneiro