Benfica SAD presented a negative net result of 35 million euros in the 2021/22 financial year, the second consecutive in the red, justifying Rui Costa with the “restructuring of the sports project” and strengthening the football team.
The chairman of the board of directors of SAD benfiquista noted that that result, which follows the negative 17.4 ME presented in the previous season, happened because they “all batteries are aimed at sporting success”with some of the team’s most valuable elements.
“It was our choice not to do these sales [de futebolistas]. We would be here today with different results [financeiros]but also with other sporting results”Rui Costa pointed out in a press conference on the good start to the 2022/23 season, with Benfica qualifying for the Champions League and leading the Portuguese I League, with 10 wins in 10 matches.
The report and accounts provided to the Securities Market Commission (CMVM) reflect that option, with operations involving athletes accounting for player sales from 100 ME in the previous year to 64.2 ME at present, a reduction of 35.8 ME and the lowest value in the past nine years.
SAD’s “incarnate” leader recalled that “43 operations were carried out in this transfer market”, with the aim of “reframing the entire professional football of Benfica”, as it was essential “to balance the squad, a process that is not yet completed”.
The attempt to sign Ricardo Horta was an example of this bet, with Rui Costa noting that Benfica Sporting de Braga made a proposal and that the striker would have been hired even on the last day of the transfer window and despite the German’s arrival Julian Draxler, loaned from Paris Saint-Germain.
Compared to the previous report, operating profit increased by 75.3 ME to 169.3 ME, thanks to the increase in UEFA premiums (plus 55.2 ME) and box office revenues (plus 24.8 ME), as Benfica the quarterfinals of the ‘Champions’ and ‘recovered’ the audience that was absent due to the covid-19 pandemic.
Operating expenses also showed significant growth, at 24.6%, to 192.3 ME, most of which was staffed (112.5 ME) and external supplies and services (67.6 ME), with operating results for the second year in a row, in the amount of 31.6 ME.
Liabilities increased by 11.9% to 424.7 ME, but assets remain higher, estimated at 533.7 ME, despite a lower increase, of the order of 2%, which, combined with a value of 109 ME equity, Rui Costa led to consider that, “financially the club is very healthy”.
“I want to reassure the Benfica universe, because this result was thought through, structured. The priority is on sporting results, but without neglecting the financial aspects”reinforced Rui Costa, pointing to a return to the company’s profits in the current sporting season.
Source: DN
