CM catches Porto and Sporting at the summit against Benfica Meeting of Nuno Saraiva, Lions director of public relations, Francisco J. Marques and Manuel Tavares of the Dragons at a hotel in Lisbon.

The public relations managers of Sporting and Porto met this Wednesday at a hotel in Lisbon. ABOUT CM witnessed the moments before entering the meeting between Nuno Saraiva, Director of Public Relations of the Lions, Francisco J. Marques, Director of Public Relations of the Dragons, and Manuel Tavares, General Director of FC Porto Media, known as a communication strategist “Azul-Media”. e-white.

The meeting lasted just over two hours, from 16:00 to 18:00, and, according to CM As it turns out, this will serve to strengthen the relationship between the rivals and strengthen communication strategies for next season with a common goal: Benfica. The meeting was top secret, and upon leaving the hotel, Nuno Saraiva remained silent when faced with questions from the president. CM. Contacted CMFrancisco J. Marquez also declined to comment on the incident.

Porto’s director of player relations arrived first, followed by Manuel Tavares. Later, Nuno Saraiva appeared on the 12th floor of the hotel. Leader Leo arrived wearing sunglasses, looked around a few times and exited the elevator, greeting Tavares with a wild hug before heading into the room.

The meeting between the rival directors comes as the clubs continue to sever institutional ties. The decision was made by Sporting in 2013, which alleged that Adelino Caldeira, then vice-president of Porto, refused to welcome Bruno de Carvalho to the final of the Portuguese Handball Cup in Tavira.

Nuno Saraiva and Francisco J. Marquez have fired on multiple fronts this season, particularly criticizing arbitration and attacks on Benfica. For example, Samaris’ hit on Diego Ivo (Moreirense) caused a general reaction shortly after the incident. Despite this, the PR directors also exchanged accusations among themselves.

PROFILES
Francisco J. Marquez He arrived at Porto in 2011. Before that, he worked as a journalist for Público, Jornal de Notícias and Lusa. He started as chief information officer. In 2016, he took over communications management when Rui Cerqueira moved to the club’s content department in Porto Canal.

Manuel Tavares He has been the CEO of FC Porto Media since August 2014. He headed the newspaper O Jogo for about ten years, until in 2011 he moved to the position of director of the Jornal de Notícias. When he was hired by Porto, he said it was the culmination of an old relationship.

Nuno Saraiva He took charge of Sporting’s communications at the start of this season. Before arriving in Alvalade, he was deputy director of the Diário de Notícias. A journalist with 25 years of experience in social communications, he worked for TSF, Expresso and Sabado before joining DN.

“I hope Jesus continues.”
José Maria Ricciardi, former president of Haitong Bank (formerly BESI), met Jorge Jesus at the Ritz Hotel in Lisbon yesterday.

In statements to CMthe banker, a supporter of Bruno de Carvalho as president of Sporting, assured that “it was an unexpected meeting”, but also emphasized that he supports Jesus as the coach of Sporting.

At a time when there are signs that Jorge Jesus could leave the club at the end of this season, José Maria Ricciardi is categorical: “I support Jorge Jesus and hope that he will continue to play at Sporting.” So that there is no doubt about this position, the banker also emphasized that he considers Jesus a “great coach” and “he is fundamental to the future of Sporting.”

José Maria Ricciardi, an avowed Sporting fan, former director and current member of the Leonina Council, played a fundamental role in the restructuring of Sporting’s debt in recent years while he was still President of BESI.

The banker has always been a constant supporter of Bruno de Carvalho and Jorge Jesus. “He is the best coach in Portugal and one of the best in Europe,” he said in January 2016, when Sporting were challenging for the domestic title.