Pedro Proença, Fernando Gomes and João Paulo Rebelo speak on day 1

After Bruno de Carvalho's opening speech, the president of the Portuguese Football League, Pedro Proença, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, Fernando Gomes, and the Secretary of State for Youth and Sport, João Paulo Rebelo, took to the stage to share their thoughts.

Proença used the opportunity to highlight the importance of this kind of event: "Taking about the future of football is essential. Portuguese football has produced some great talents since the turn of the century and Sporting CP is one of the most relevant clubs in that. A lot of players made the move to big clubs in the 1990's, which lifted up the club's name too. All of those players have one thing in common: they are from the youth system. That is how your prepare the future."

The League president went on to speak further about the importance of Portugal's youth systems: "As a football country, we are one of the best. Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Ballon D'Or, we won Euro 2016 and Portuguese coaches continue to be some of the best in the world. We want to claim the place we should have on the world stage and this quality of conference contributes to that."

Fernando Gomes also highlighted the impact of the event. "This event will bring together an discussion in the future of national and international football. Sporting CP are our hosts and we thank the club for such an efficient organisation of a project that will help us reflect and learn from the best examples", said the Federation president, followed by the backing of João Paulo Rebelo: "Last year I said here that this event would carry on growing. Seeing who is taking part this year, I wasn't mistaken. Initiatives like this are essential for football."

Bruno de Carvalho speaks about Slimani suspension at dinner organised by Sporting Foundation

Bruno de Carvaho took part in a charity dinner organised by the Sporting Foundation and the Capulana Association this weekend, hosted in the Aldeia dos Capuchos Hotel. Speaking about the event, the Alvalade president reaffirmed Sporting's commitment to helping those in need: "I was born in Mozambique and I am really happy with having the Sporting Foundation help institutions over there. It is really important for Sporting to understand the important mission we have not just in Portugal, but around the world too. We have to show that we are here to help, not just in terms of sports but also socially."

The Sporting boss also made the most of his time with gathered radio journalists to speak about the re-election of Fernando Gomes as president of the Portuguese Football Federation: "Yesterday I was clear. I see a lot of things I agree with in the mandate that was given today, especially those which touch on discipline and refereeing. That is something that Sporting has been pushing for. I am however saddened with seeing people such as Manuel Santos Serra carry on and I am worried about decisions which I think are a bit knee-jerk, such as the Slimani punishment and the vouchers issue nothing being followed up. Those decisions don't make sense."

Bruno de Carvalho also had a word to say about Vítor Pereira, former president of the Refereeing Council: "I worry, but we do not have the capacity to get people back on track. A lot of decisions which were taken were not good for Portuguese football. All that I am hoping for now is that Vítor Pereira, who finally stepped down, does not receive any awards. Referee nominations for matches made no sense at all and I do not want to see Vítor Pereira rewarded with a place at UEFA or the Refereeing Academy. Let's hope that he is moved away from football once and for all. Those who like true sport and transparency certainly will not miss him."