Group of 70 children meet their favourite stars

Estádio José Alvalade hosted a group of children from Cantanhede, in the district of Coimbra this weekend, in a visit attended by Rui Patrício and Bruno César.

For the Sporting goalkeeper, the youngsters had more than earned the meeting with their favourite stars, after traveling 219km to the Portuguese capital. “This type of initiatives are really important for the kids. Being a fan of a club is something that starts when we are young. It is really special for us as players to be with them when they visit the stadium and the museum", said Rui Patrício at the end of the visit.

The Cantanhede Primary School's coordinator, Maria do Céu Pinto, also enjoyed the day: "It was an hour to meet President Bruno de Carvalho, with Rui Patrício and Bruno César. We are really thankful. Most of the kids are in their first year of school and they had never been anywhere near the players before. We are really happy with Sporting having accepted our visit."

Bruno de Carvalho on the loss of captain Fernando Mendes

Bruno de Carvalho added his words to a growing list of dedications to Fernando Mendes today, after the Cup Winners' Cup captain sadly passed away at the age 0f 78.

"On the trip we made to Antwerp in May 2014, for the 50th anniversary of the Cup Winners' Cup Win, he couldn't make thr trip with us, but he was all we spoke about. It was his leadership and quality as a player and a coach. Today we lost the man who led the team in what was Sporting Clube de Portugal's first European trophy and he went on to claim his place as one of our heroes back home, winning the national championship as both a player and a coach", said the Sporting president, adding: "He was a man who stood our for showing us how men should behave. He is still one of the most emblematic icons of the Five Violins team and he is an example for everyone, including the players coming through the youth system. This isn't a goodbye Fenando Mendes, because like we said in Antwerp: diamonds are forever. On the day that the national team opened its new Football City, the world of football is that little bit poorer."

President Bruno de Carvalho speaks with A Bola

Bruno de Carvalho gave an extensive interview with the sports newspaper A Bola this weekend, as part of his third anniversary as Alvalade president.

Bruno de Carvalho spoke about everything from refereeing to his relationship with coach Jorge Jesus, then moving on to the deal struck with NOS and running again come the end of his mandate. You can find the full interview here. 

Sporting CP President speaks on negotations with NOS

President Bruno de Carvalho sat down for an interview with Forbes Portugal this week, where he spoke about the centralisation of television rights and the deal made with NOS.

The interview with Joaqui Madrinha and Luís Leitão can be found here. 

FIFA elections

It is with great pleasure that I congratulate Gianni Infantino for his election as the President of FIFA.

The new President's success will be shared by everybody who is working to recover the good name and credibility of football.

The new FIFA President was, in his previous roles, a voice for us to the sport's governing bodies who wanted to listen to Sporting Clube de Portugal's proposals. His willingness to take on board new ideas was obvious, along with his drive to contribute to the modernisation, credibility and dignity o football, particularly in the regulation of agent and the introduction of video referees.

Ceremony in Alvalade in preparation for Rio 2016

The Artur Agostinho Auditorium in Estádio José Alvalade hosted the club's very own Olympic Committee this week, in the build up to Rio 2016. A total of 28 of the project's 38 athletes were in attendance, to receive their Olympic diplomas from president Bruno de Carvalho himself. Alvalade's Olympic success often overlooked as being Portugal's own, but Sporting's brilliance on the world athletics stage is sure to stretch long into the future.

José Manuel Constantino, head the Portuguese Olympic Committee, was at the ceremony and thanked the Alvalade president for the chance to take part. Also pleased with Vicente Moura's (Sporting's vice-president for sports) recovery from a recent illness, Constantino expressed his satisfaction with Sporting's initiative: "Having the international capacity to help athletes get ready for the Olympics makes me really happy. Athletes come and go while institutions stay, but the truth is that institutions are built by people who have not only written part of our story, but also of the entire Olympic movement."

President Bruno de Carvalho also shared his thoughts at the gathering: "There is no other club as eclectic as us and we have kept that up even while having a lot of financial problems and being so close to becoming exclusively a football club. That isn't what we are and we turned that around to bring even more sports to the club. I want everyone of them to be perfectly aware of the importance that we we give to the history of the club. This will be the 20th time we have been in the Olympics out of 24 editions of the competition."

Today, the Referees Association (APAF), Players Syndicate (SJPF) and Coaches Association (ANTF) began an initiative called ON THE PITCH WE PLAY THE SAME GAME. The idea is to bring the three groups together with the clubs.

Sessions with coaches and technical staff to elaborate on refereeing and other issues will also be held.

Sporting Clube de Portugal was chosen to open the programme, due to the club's work over the last two and a half years to work to bring credibility and modernity to football.

The work put in to defend a modern modern, transparent and fair sport is recognised by everyone.

The banning of funds and the introduction of new technologies are fantastic victories and Sporting Clube de Portugal is proud to have contributed.

Today, in the presence of the president of the APAF, José Fontelas Gomes, the president of the Players Syndicate, Joaquim Evangelista, and the initiative's ambassador,  Duarte Gomes, was extremely positive and Sporting Clube de Portugal's door will always be open.

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.

Bruno de Carvalho on Friday's draw with Tondela

Speaking with the press at the final whistle on Friday, Bruno de Carvalho highlighted the influence of the penalty decision against Rui Patrício and the sending off of the Alvalade keeper.

“This is the referee who took charge of my first game as president, which was Sporting B-Benfica B. He made up red cards in that game as well. He is one of the worst referees I had seen and it happened against tonight. It isn't just about video technology. You could clearly see a player falling over and holding his leg, but then standing up and celebrating winning a penalty. These little games to put pressure on Sporting are still happening it took a player and two points off us tonight. We are upset about what is happening in Portuguese football. Football is played off the pitch here. It manipulates referees' and people's opinions and they end up not knowing what to do. You will never shut me up and this will only get worse."

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