The Audit Committee of the Portuguese Professional Football League (LPFP) guaranteed on Friday that during the licensing process for the 2024/25 season, the owners and holders of sports societies were subject to “close scrutiny” to ensure “transparency in the competition”.
“This is a matter of care and we have been very strict in this matter. We must ensure that we have transparent and independent clubs competing. This was already included in the provisions of the Licensing Manual and has been improved. There is a very close attention on this topic,” assured the Lusa agency the president of the audit committee, José Bento.
The official acknowledged that this pre-competition stage, when licensing takes place, is subject to “noise and controversy”, but assured that the body’s only concern is to ensure the integrity of all information provided by sports societies.
“Although the criteria are very objective, if there are doubts, then a request for clarification is made. This is normal,” he added.
In addition to financial and legal criteria, the LPFP Audit Committee also approves the licensing of stadiums for professional competitions, but only confirms the technical opinions issued by experts.
“What we are responsible for is evaluating certain requirements and assumptions. We do not have technical project specialists on this Commission. This is done by specialists who inspect, evaluate and certify stadiums on site. We have no interference in assessing the security of infrastructures,” he explained.
In a self-assessment of the overall work of the Audit Committee, José Bento was satisfied with the results obtained, especially “with regard to the suitability and fairness of the competition”.
“Our wish is that all clubs have the conditions to compete. Unfortunately, in history we have had situations in which this could not happen. But even in processes that were contested or questioned, in all cases the opinion and decision were the opinion of the Commission,” he recalled.
The responsible person, who defends an objective position as well as pedagogy and dialogue, acknowledged that “the worst thing that can happen to the Commission is to see that a club that has demonstrated sporting ability cannot subsequently meet other criteria.” “.
“We all want to have strong clubs that represent the diversity of our country,” he added.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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