Proença expects the public to return to the stadiums on April 19th

The president of the Portuguese Professional Football League (LPFP) said today that he hopes that on April 19 there will be a public presence in the stadiums, after the Government announced the decontamination plan.

"Hope. This is what we feel when watching the Government's public communication! Tomorrow [Friday] is a year since we made the most difficult decision since we were in the League, to suspend professional competitions. Today, we look to the future believing that, soon, on April 19, we will be able to have the fans with us in the stands», wrote Pedro Proença, on his official Facebook page.

In the same message, Proença believes that on that date there could be games with the public again, after the Government pointed out the possibility of «exterior events with reduced capacity», as well as «the reopening of the concert halls».

«We are certain that this will be the moment for the return of the heat of the chants, the comfort of the applause, the vibrancy of the emotions, of the one who, throughout this difficult period, never, for a single moment, let fall into oblivion: our supporters », considers.

The Government will authorize the practice of all sports from 3 May, in accordance with the plan for deconfinement due to covid-19, announced today by the prime minister, António Costa.

Since mid-January, when the new confinement was decreed, only “physical activity and the training of individual outdoor sports was allowed, as well as all professional and similar training and competitive activities”.

Thus, according to the plan presented today, from May 3rd, “all sporting modalities” will be authorized, on a date when “large outdoor events with reduced capacity” will be authorized.

On April 5, after Easter, low-risk sports can be practiced, as well as outdoor activities for up to four people.

Medium risk sports will be authorized from April 19, when outdoor physical activity will be allowed for up to six people, the opening of gyms without group classes and the holding of outdoor events with reduced capacity.