The President of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), Fernando Gomes, found unacceptable this Friday the hype dedicated to midfielder João Mário by the public at the José Alvalade stadium in Lisbon during Liechtenstein’s defeat on Thursday.
“With distrust, sadness and displeasure, I saw yesterday [esta quinta-feira] national team player João Mário being whistled by some of the spectators,” can be read in a message published this Friday by the national football governing body.
The Benfica midfielder was selected by coach Roberto Martinez in the final part of the Group J qualifying match for Euro 2024, replacing Bruno Fernandes in the 89th minute. who interfered in the match.
“While I don’t take part in general and I also found that the vast majority of those present supported Joao Mario in the following moments, I find it unacceptable that any player from the national team can be booed by their own fans upon entering. field, especially when it comes to someone who, I remember and emphasize, made his debut for the national teams at the age of 15, played at all youth levels (under 15, under 16, under 17, under 18, under 19, under 20 and under 21), played 56 matches for the main team and became the European champion in France,” recalled Fernando Gomes.
Joao Mario has been playing for Benfica since the 2021/21 season after being loaned by Inter Milan to Sporting CP, the club where he completed his training and which he left only on loan to Vitoria de Setúbal in exchange for 30 million euros for the Nerazzurri. ‘, who also lost him to West Ham and Lokomotiv Moscow.
“Disrespect, clubbing, division and ingratitude must be condemned and exposed publicly. This episode hurt the players, the coaching staff and the “staff” that make up the national team, and it cannot be repeated with anyone,” said Fernando Gomes. , in a message published on the FPF website.
The federation leader cited the words of another former Sporting player after the meeting to point the way.
“As Joao Paligna said yesterday, [na quinta-feira]very well, the legacy we must leave to future generations must be the positive values of sportsmanship, patriotism and dedication to football. This is what the national team will always represent,” he concluded.
Portugal will visit Luxembourg on Sunday in the second round of Group J of the Euro 2024 qualifying tournament, which leads with Bosnia and Herzegovina who won 3-0 at home against Iceland, while Slovakia and the Luxembourgers drew 0-0.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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