The Portuguese Professional Football League (LPFP) on Monday approved an amendment to the rules of competitions that, among other things, changes the schedule of weekday matches so that they take place earlier.
The measure, which was voted on like others, was unanimously approved by the sports associations present at the meeting, which only BSAD missed, aims to “promote the return of supporters to stadiums”, according to the organization.
Measuring unit “removes the possibility of games being scheduled at 9:15 p.m. on weekdays”and if only one departure is scheduled, it must be at 6:00 PM or 8:15 PM.
If two challenges are scheduled on the same working day, they will have to take place at 6:45 PM and 8:45 PM.
This LPFP General Assembly also approved the change to the League Cup model, which will only come into force in the 2024/25 season and will be contested by only eight teams, six from the I Liga and two from the II League.
The choice of these emblems is made based on the standings of the respective previous championships, choosing the first six of the I Liga and the first two of the second tier.
These clubs are selected for a competition, in a quarter-final format, with only one-legged matches.
The possibility of internationalization of this League Cup is still under discussion, and according to Rui Caeiro, Executive Director of the LPFP, “this is one of the main goals for the league and for the Liga Portugal brand”.
This General Assembly also approved the obligation, from 2024/25, to attend training sessions organized by the LFPF for all sports agents included in the technical sheet of the game, with the exception of coaches.
According to Paulo Rozeira, the legal director of LPFP, this training ranges from equipment technicians to managers who are on the game form, and the same “will be articulated according to the functions each performs”, showing that “it has not yet been defined” as this training entails extra costs for the clubs.
Also approved was the conversion into a final title of the standard which stipulates that clubs must designate a maximum of nine substitutes in each match, being able to make up to five substitutions in three moments of regular time and at half-time.
A new requirement was also introduced stating that failure to present a valid insurance card until 24 hours before the time of the match, which stipulates that the club does not have at least 13 players available, will prevent the match from taking place and constitute an unauthorized default of the club.
It has also been decided to check whether the requirements regarding the lighting of the stadiums are met by a body certified for this purpose.
Source: DN
