Sporting’s president, Frederico Varandas, arrived at the Pavilhão João Rocha for a General Assembly meeting. The club’s 2024/25 financial report was the main topic. But Varandas had bigger news to share with waiting journalists. He was ready to tackle rival club Benfica’s claims about a supposed “green cloak” controlling Portuguese football. Benfica, often called “the Reds,” believes Sporting pulls all the strings.
Varandas made it clear he’d already addressed past issues about refereeing. Now, it was time to clear the air about this “green cloak.” He chuckled, inviting everyone to think for a moment. He pointed out that the current president of the FPF (Portuguese Football Federation) is widely known as a Benfica supporter. And the Liga (League) president? Varandas said his own research showed the man was serious and honest, but also a Benfica fan.
He then looked at lower-level board members. Sure, there are big Sporting fans like Domingos Paciência and Toni. But Varandas mentioned Rui Caeiro, a Sporting supporter with a “curious past.” Caeiro served as vice-president under Bruno de Carvalho, a former Sporting president. Sporting’s own official bodies even suggested suspending Caeiro’s membership. “So, you see,” Varandas quipped, “how ‘green’ everything really is?”
Varandas continued, describing a recent chat with the FPF president. The FPF leader expressed surprise at Benfica’s “green cloak” idea. He even shared some illuminating data. He tracks the club loyalties within football’s governing bodies. His findings? Thirty-eight percent lean towards Benfica, while only twenty-five percent support Sporting. Varandas explained he isn’t worried by these numbers. He voted for a group of serious people. His goal is to stop the kind of backroom deals that defined football for the past 40 years. “The ‘lords of football’ are gone,” he declared. “And that’s causing some people a lot of confusion.”
He observed that many seem too focused on Sporting. This includes Benfica’s president and even those running for election at Benfica. Varandas offered some blunt advice: “Be more capable. Work harder. That’s what truly helps.” He wrapped up by noting his own tenure. Even during tough seasons, he said, Sporting’s president never blamed poor referee decisions.