Former Italian World Cup referee Luigi Agnolin, president of the Olhanense SAD (limited sports company) who own 80% of the professional set-up at SC Olhanense, has released an open letter to the club’s supporters.
Agnolin deeply regrets that the goals set for the season had not been achieved and had resulted in relegation to non-league football. He puts this down partly to the hostile relationship with the main Sporting Clube Olhanense and its president Isidoro Sousa.
Agnolin points out that since taking office in April 2016, he has substantially reduced the SAD’s debt, negotiated the PER (special revitalisation process) with creditors and made payments of €200,000 “to avoid prosecution of the previous administration led by Isidoro Sousa”.
He further denies that the SAD is for sale and promises to make an investment of €300,000 with the aim of returning to the Segunda Liga at the first attempt next season.
The election, unopposed, of the existing president of SC Olhanense, Isidoro Sousa, took place on Tuesday and will have done nothing to heal the rift between the two parties.
The SAD have threatened to quit the José Arcanjo Stadium next season and play their home games at the Olhão Municipal Stadium.
This summer there are sure to be more twists and turns as the famous club, which has just celebrated its 105th anniversary, attempts to return to the upper echelons of Portuguese football.
C.W.
Photo: Luigi Agnolin (left), president of the Olhanense SAD and Isidoro Sousa (left), president of Sport Clube Olhanense
