A Handball Federation of Portugal (FAP) clarified this Wednesday the developments related to the incidents recorded before the meeting between FC Porto and Sporting, referring to the Placard Handball 1 Championship, held on March 28th, at Dragão Arena, confirming the opening of disciplinary proceedings and institutional monitoring of the case by the competent authorities.
In a statement, the federation explained that it participated in a meeting called by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Margarida Balseiro Lopes, in which representatives of the two clubs involved were also present. The FAP recalled that, as the sport’s regulatory entity in Portugal and holder of the status of public sporting utility, it has normative, disciplinary and supervisory powers, stressing that all technical guidelines applicable to the meeting were complied with.
According to the federation, the game had previously been classified as high risk level 1, which implied the adoption of reinforced security measures by the organizing club and the police forces deployed for the event. In this framework, the presence of a security manager was determined and federative delegates were appointed to monitor the match, in conjunction with the refereeing team.
The FAP also added that, in accordance with the legal regime relating to violence associated with sport and the specific regulation of the sport, It is up to the promoting club to ensure safety conditions at the sports venue, including access control, the presence of spectators and the execution of prevention plans defined for games classified as higher risk.
In view of the incidents recorded before the start of the match, the federation communicated the facts to the Disciplinary Boardwhich, however, ordered the opening of an investigation process with a view to determining possible disciplinary responsibilities. At the same time, it clarified that possible responsibilities of a criminal or administrative nature do not fall within its competences, being the exclusive matter of the judicial authorities.
Nonetheless, The Public Prosecutor’s Office also confirmed the opening of a criminal investigation related to the case, having requested the PSP to provide the respective news report for analysis. At issue is a supposed intense smell in the visiting dressing room, a situation that led to firefighters providing assistance to coach Ricardo Costa and player Christian Moga before the match.
In reaction, FC Porto ensured that there were no anomalous conditions in the locker room intended for the visiting teamensuring full collaboration with the authorities and availability to provide all necessary clarifications. The club also indicated that it will present its formal framework of the situation in a meeting with the government.
For your part, the president of Sporting, Frederico Varandas, stated that the episode is part of a broader set of recent situations that he decided to expose to the minister, saying that the Leonine team advanced to the game under protest due to doubts raised before the opening whistle.
The case now remains under federative disciplinary assessment and judicial investigation, while the Government monitors the process through institutional contacts with both clubs involved
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