“More than changing norms – and that is important – we are interested in changing the attitude with which we respond to this scourge. We see ourselves in a multidisciplinary position, based on an upstream vision, on entry requirements and the downstream, in fulfilling obligations on Portuguese territory. We have a memory and we want society to be attentive, as the way we deal with this problem says a lot about the country we are and want to be,” said the president of the SJPF, Joaquim Evangelista. recognized at the Lusa- desk.
Next season, the organization will launch an access and reception manual for Brazilian players, later replicable to other nationalities most affected by this reality, and defends the creation of a digital platform aimed at sharing news, information, legislation and case law, reporting mechanisms or social responses.
In the document, which Lusa had access to, the SJPF also proposes a declaration of interest for sports agents, which would allow regulatory bodies to investigate potential conflicts and understand direct or indirect links with football companies.
The involvement of local authorities, through the training of local prevention officers, in collaboration with the respective football associations and authorities, and the promotion of an integrated support network in the areas of residence, social integration and, if necessary, repatriation, constitute the five measures presented by Joaquim Evangelista.
“We found that there is a lack of coordination between the various public and private entities. In other words, there is no complete answer. We must have the ability not to close our eyes to reality. For a long time this happened out of self-interest and often with the complicity of players, coaches and managers. These are phenomena that mainly occur inland and far from the big cities.” framed.
The proposals were the result of “eight years of work” by the SJPF, which exposed “media cases” of human trafficking, one of the last of which involved three civilians and five companies as defendants, following searches in June of a football academy in Riba de Ave, in the municipality of Vila Nova de Famalicão, owned by the company BSports.
“We are better from a media point of view. In other words, today we have already succeeded in mobilizing the community. Now the problem has deeper roots than its public impact and we need to act at this structural level. It is not enough to raise the issue when there is a violation or public knowledge of a crime. This issue must be repeatedly on the agenda and we cannot simply look at it from month to month,” he stressed.
Following the revelation of the ‘BSports case’, the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports created a working group to discuss combat measures, which also includes the entity of Joaquim Evangelista, whose proposals were “almost all accepted”.
The SJFP was called a few days ago to participate in a hearing on this topic, at the request of the PS faction, in the Committee on Culture, Communications, Youth and Sports of the Assembly of the Republic, which will also be attended by the Portuguese Football Federation. Federation (FPF) and the Portuguese Professional Football League (LPFP), at a date to be determined.
Last year, the press reported that since 2017, the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) had already identified more than 250 actors who were victims of illegal immigration and human trafficking crimes. as part of investigations into 58 Portuguese clubs, in which almost 100 individuals and legal entities were accused.
Source: DN
