Alvalade president sits down with the Sporting president ahead of league showdown

You have to go back 42 years for the last time that Sporting and Benfica took the title race down to the last match of the season. It was in 1974, when millions waited for the final whistle. History isn't on Sporting's side, with the league leaders going into the decisive fixture tending to hold out and take the trophy, however Bruno de Carvalho sees things a little differently.

“Going into the last match of the season, we are two points behind first place. Of course it isn't the place we would prefer to be in and of course we would like to be in first. However, we are completely focused and we know anything could happen. That is what makes football such a beautiful game. While it is mathematically possible, anything can happen", commented the Alvalade president in an interview with the Sporting Journal this week, adding: "What I see is a Sporting team focused on our match and that believes that we can bring home a title that we have been missing for so long now. We will do everything we can to do that."

Sporting's hopes of silverware after the dust settles this weekend does however not just depend on what happens in Estádio Municipal de Braga. Meanwhile in Lisbon, Benfica will host Nacional, with Sporting needing the team from Madeira to at least steal a point.

“Looking at Benfica-Nacional, well from what I have seen and heard it seems like Nacional doesn't count for anything. It seems like Nacional doesn't care. That if what I have felt when listening to commentators associated with Benfica, but honestly I don't believe it", affirmed Carvalho, continuing: "Nacional are a good side and I don't think they want to be the side show for the league title. I know how hard Rui Alves has been working to put Nacional on the map and they are fighting for places further up the league now. Of course Benfica are motivated, because winning gives them the league, but Nacional are motivated as well."

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."

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 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 meets with the Portuguese Football League

Bruno de Carvalho met the president of the Portuguese Football League, Pedro Proença, this week, to discuss a series of proposals which address regulations that the Alvalade chief sees as violations of constitutional rights.

"I think a lot has to change in football. We have to start to understand, like I have been saying for four years, what kind of football we want and what path we want to follow. How can I explain to my kids the lie that I supposedly spat on someone? That issue still hasn't moved forward and that is serious", said Bruno de Carvalho after the meeting, adding: "I am here to speak about something which we feel is important, namely altering regulations. Football cannot have regulations which are violations of the constitution and which violate our right to freedom. The Football League is going to look at what we suggested. I don't know if the clubs will approve our proposals not not, but we have to reflect on what is going wrong."

Bruno de Carvalho prepares to open another Sporting Academy School

Whenever a new Sporting Academy School opens, president Bruno de Carvalho makes the effort to get out and do the honours. Coming after the inauguration of the Costa Rica facility, Angola was next up and the Alvalade president used the occasion to sit down in an interview with TV Zimbo.