This Saturday, thousands of people headed to the José Alvalade stadium to pay their respects to Manuel Fernandes. Queues for the VIP room, where the ballot box was located, formed early in the morning. Throughout the day, prominent figures in Portuguese football, linked to Sporting and other areas of civil society, interacted with anonymous fans. Entire families, several generations of them, with children accompanying their parents and grandparents, said goodbye to the sporting glory that had died of cancer at the age of 73.
The first hour of waking up was reserved for the family. Despite this, coach Ruben Amorim could be seen next to Thiago Fernandez, Manel’s son, as he was usually treated. “It’s a difficult day. One of the best in our history. I and Sporting also have a clear conscience for the tributes he received during his life. I know that inside he was very happy, as he is today. [este sábado] for this public to thank him for everything he has done for Sporting,” said Frederico Varandas.
Villas-Boas and Rui Costa present
Villas-Boas and Rui Costa present
Author: João Moniz
Source: CM Jornal
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