Officials and fans of Faro’s historic club were eagerly awaiting the outcome of a crisis meeting of the Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Profissional (LPFP) held on Wednesday as the paper went to print.
Two weeks ago the Administrative Court of Lisbon quashed the decision to demote Gil Vicente from the Primeira Liga 10 years ago. In the 2005-06 season Gil Vicente fielded an ineligible player, the Angolan forward Mateus, and were docked points which resulted in their relegation whilst Belenenses escaped the drop.
Segunda Liga Gil Vicente must now be reintegrated into the top flight which could open the way for SC Farense to reclaim their place following their recent relegation to non-league football.
Just two years ago Boavista, who had been thrown out of the Primeira Liga for allegedly intimidating referees, had to be similarly reinstated. Now the LPFP and their president Pedro Proença are in quandary as they try to reduce the number of teams in both the Primeira and Segunda Ligas, not increase them!
