Benfica SAD presented a negative net result of 35 million euros (ME) in the 2021/22 financial year, the second in a row in the red, which Rui Costa justified with the “restructuring of the sports project” and reinforcement of the football squad.
The president of the Board of Directors of the benfiquista SAD has pointed out that this result, which follows the negative ME of 17.4 presented in the previous season, has come about because “all the batteries were aimed at sporting success”, maintaining some of the elements team’s most valuable.
“It was our choice not to make these sales [de futebolistas]. We would be here today with other results. [financeiros]but also with other sporting results”, said Rui Costa, at a press conference, referring to the good start of the 2022/23 season, in which Benfica qualified for the Champions League and leads the Portuguese First League, with ten wins in ten games.
The report and accounts delivered to the Securities Market Commission (CMVM) reflect this option, with the heading of operations with athletes, in which the sales of players are accounted for, going from 100 ME in the previous year to 64.2 ME in the current one, a reduction of 35.8 ME and the lowest value of the last nine years.
The SAD leader recalled that “43 operations were carried out in this market” of transfers, with the aim of “reformulating all of Benfica’s professional football”, since it was essential “to balance the squad, a process that has not yet concluded”. “.
The attempt to sign Ricardo Horta was an example of this bet, with Rui Costa pointing out that Benfica submitted a proposal to Sporting de Braga and that the striker would have been hired, even on the last day of the transfer period and despite the entry from German Julian Draxler, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.
Compared to the previous report, the operating result increased by 75.3 ME to 169.3 ME, thanks to the increase in premiums from UEFA (plus 55.2 ME) and admission (plus 24.8 ME), since Benfica reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League and ‘recovered’ the audience that was absent due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Operating expenses also showed a significant growth, of 24.6%, up to 192.3 ME, most of which with personnel (112.5 ME) and supplies and external services (67.6 ME), with an operating result that reached negative values for the second consecutive year. row, amounting to 31.6 ME.
Liabilities increased by 11.9%, to 424.7 ME, but assets continue to be higher, estimated at 533.7 ME, despite having had a smaller increase, of the order of 2%, which added to a value of 109 ME of the assets, led Rui Costa to consider that, “economically, the club is very healthy”.
“I want to reassure the Benfica universe, because this result was planned, structured. The priority is the sporting results, but without neglecting the financial aspects”, reinforced Rui Costa, pointing to the return to the benefits of society already in the current sports season.
Source: TSF
