Comment – Second chance

The news that took the Algarve and Portuguese football in general completely by surprise last week was that Salgueiros had been demoted to the Second Division B in the face of financial irregularities. Meanwhile, Portimonense had been invited to rejoin the Liga da Honra, Portugal’s First Division, from which they had been relegated on sporting grounds at the end of last season. President João Sintra was caught as unawares as everyone else was, the squad having already been ‘pruned’ down to amateurs and youth players. Let us hope that he is able to find his feet and get the team back. No one could ask for more luck at the way things have turned out. Salgueiros players are already deserting the sinking ship and what better haven than Portimão! The opening fixture of the new season reads ‘Olhanense v ?’ How about an Algarvean derby in the new Algarve Stadium!