The late Sporting CP great lay in state on Saturday

The body of the late Manuel Fernandes lay in state at the Estádio José Alvalade on Saturday, allowing all Sporting CP fans and admirers of the club legend to bid him a final goodbye.

A ceremony was held for family members, members of the Governing Bodies of Sporting Clube de Portugal and the football coaching staff, led by Rúben Amorim, and was opened to the general public after 10:30am.

Frederico Varandas, Sporting CP president, commented that: “It’s a difficult day. One of the best players in the history of Sporting CP, and also a friend, has left us. He was the coach of Vitória FC when I was a young doctor. Sporting CP have a clear conscience due to the tributes paid to him during his lifetime, which made him very happy -as he will certainly be today, seeing this crowd of people paying homage to him”.

João Palma, president of the Board of the General Assembly of Sporting CP, also spoke about a loss “which shakes the hearts of all Sportinguistas”.

“This tribute that Sporting CP have paid him is very much deserved. Manuel Fernandes is a unique figure at our club. He has left us now, but his memory will always remain with us. He is a symbol of loyalty and dedication to Sporting CP. He was a star on the pitch, but off it he always remained humble and there was no one who didn’t admire him. He was a great on the pitch and even greater off it”.