The government will present a solution to soften the impact of new immigration laws on sport on Tuesday at a meeting attended by the Portuguese Professional Football League (LPFP), the organization said on Monday.
In a press release published on its official website, the organization headed by Pedro Proença said that the executive, chaired by Luís Montenegro, had called it to a meeting that would begin at 5:30 p.m., in which the government “proposes to present a Solution” to address the consequences caused by Decree-Law No. 37-A/2024 on sports.
“The LPFP and the clubs continue to believe in a sustainable and effective solution that can provide a structural response to the impact of recent legislative changes that are already seriously affecting the ability of clubs to operate in the marketplace, but also reinforce the urgency to address an issue that threatens the sustainability and competitiveness of professional football, particularly on the international stage,” he said.
A source from the Secretary of State for Sports told Lusa that several ministries and sports federations will also attend the meeting, given the end of expressions of interest in the new immigration legislation.
The LPFP will meet with 34 sports associations from Leagues I and II on Wednesday to discuss the government’s proposal, with around six weeks left until the summer transfer window closes on September 2.
On June 3, the government put an end to expressions of interest in legalizing foreigners in Portugal, requiring immigrants to begin the process of legalizing their stay at Portuguese consulates or embassies before arriving in the country.
Twelve days later, in a letter addressed to the Secretary of State for Sports and former Federal Director Pedro Dias, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) expressed concerns about this legislative change, which had been ratified by the Council of Ministers, and recalled the consequences, questioning the hypothesis of “using the already envisaged regime of exceptions”.
The LPFP demanded an “urgent decision” after holding an emergency meeting with the clubs and participating in a conference with the Minister of Sports, the Deputy Secretary of State to the President of the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the five federations – football, handball, basketball, figure skating and volleyball.
According to representative Pedro Proença, sport at this meeting demanded that “its specificity and freedom to develop its activities flexibly, in fair and loyal competition with other stakeholders, including international ones, be respected.”
Last week, the Sports Minister said the government was addressing concerns raised by sports federations and clubs over the cessation of expressions of interest in the regularisation of foreigners, a legal resource that allowed for the normalisation of processes for those arriving on tourist visas to Portuguese territory.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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