The Bessa stadium had a different kind of light last Saturday. Boavista fans, known as the Panteras Negras (Black Panthers), held a long vigil. They stood for about 15 hours. Their protest finally ended after a meeting. Fan leaders, including Nuno ‘Sousa’ Fonseca, spoke with club president Rui Garrido Pereira.
Soon after, Boavista announced a date for a General Assembly. Club members had been calling this meeting “urgent.” The exact time and place, along with the official call, are still to come. But the members’ unhappiness runs deep.
Filipe Miranda, who ran against Rui Garrido Pereira in the last election, was among the fans. He is a former futsal player for Boavista, affectionately known as ‘Buffon’. Speaking to Record, he explained the need for the meeting. “The Assembly is there to make things clear,” Miranda said. “We want to know what is happening between the club and the Sports Public Limited Company (SAD).” He stressed that both groups must explain everything to the members. “We need to join forces,” he added, “to try and save this ship that is sinking.”
What we want is transparency, to understand why the club had solutions to handle the situation and it didn’t happen.
Filipe Miranda
Former candidate for Boavista presidency
Miranda pressed for answers. “What we want is transparency,” he stated. “We need to understand why the club had ways to deal with this problem but didn’t use them. We need to know the reasons why we hit rock bottom.”
He also spoke about the lack of money to register a team. This problem stopped Boavista from playing in professional leagues, first the Second League and then Liga 3. Miranda called it an issue “so simple even a child could understand.” He admitted it was “nothing we didn’t expect.” He strongly criticized the SAD. “It was very bad for them to leave everything until the last minute,” he lamented. “Registering for the Second League was our last hope.”
Boavista is a historic club, nearly 122 years old. “In my time as a player and a member, this is the darkest chapter,” Miranda shared. He spoke passionately about the club’s future. “The Boavista members are the bosses. There is no other interest here but the club itself.” He urged unity. “Members must come together. They cannot let the club die.” He explained the fans’ action. “This movement by us, members and Panteras Negras, is to take a stand. As long as there are worried members, fans, and others, Boavista will continue. Boavista is one of the historic symbols of football.”