The Algarve Football Association (AFA) expressed, this Friday, 8 May, its solidarity with Olhanense, who was excluded from the rise to the II Football League, and also congratulated Farense for his return to the I Liga.
The AFA says that, «in a firm and coherent manner», it is on the side of Olhanense that «we understand that we are being harmed by the least happy decision of all those that have been taken so far by the competent authorities».
At issue is the fact that the Algarve, who were leading the D series of the Portuguese Championship when the competitions were cancelled, were excluded from ascending to the II Football League.
Vizela (60) and Arouca (58). were the clubs nominated for having the highest number of points. Olhanense was 57.
The AFA says it understands that "this is a period of difficult resolutions and that, therefore, there should be greater dialogue between all parties involved."
"We want to clearly express that we still hope that the Government will allow a play-off to be held in Cidade do Futebol between the eight top-ranked teams in the respective series of the Portuguese Championship or, alternatively, between the four leaders, in a way to determine, on the field, the two groups to ascend to LigaPro (II Liga)», he adds.
If this reality is not possible, the Algarve Football Association defends «the rise of the clubs that are at the top of the four series, allowing the rise of our affiliate Sporting Clube Olhanense Futebol SAD and Sport Clube Praiense, Futebol SAD – both the only teams in the Portuguese senior football competitions that were in first place in the respective league tables and that were not promoted».
That would be the way to recognize "meritocracy".
“We will continue, with all commitment, to do everything in our power to help bring about this outcome”, guarantees the AFA.
In the same statement, the Football Association of the Algarve congratulates Farense "for the achieved objective" of climbing to the I League.
A return, 18 years later, which is «symbol of the effort, dedication and seriousness of the entire structure, and which is nothing more than the crowning of a meritorious path throughout the entire period, writing another page of glory in the honorable history of the institution», considers the AFA.
The Football Association also leaves "a word of motivation" for Portimonense, of the I Liga, "wishing that the games that are yet to be played will be crowned with resounding success, so that they can continue, as they have done so far, to honor the Algarve in the highest football competition in our country».
Finally, the AFA congratulates Moncarapachense for ascending to the Portuguese Championship, «being certain that they will brilliantly join the Algarve contingent that has done so much for the prestige of football in the Algarve».
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