"This is a very important moment, not only for the sporting consecration, but also for the brands that support the competition. We are preparing a big party, with many new features. It will be one of the high points of the Portuguese League", said Pedro Proença, on the sidelines of the Rio Ave 85th anniversary gala.

In addition to the delivery of the champion trophy to Sporting, which will take place on the last matchday, when they host Desportivo de Chaves, on the weekend of May 18 and 19, Pedro Proença believes that the professional competitions will still be exciting until the end.

"In recent decades, we have reached the final matchdays with many things still to be decided. This season we still have promotions, relegations and qualifications for European competitions to be decided. It is proof of the vitality of our football", said the LPFP leader.

Proença also addressed the major challenge of centralising audiovisual rights, which is scheduled to come into force from 2026, ensuring that there is "unity among the clubs" in this process.

"If we look at Europe, only Portugal and Cyprus do not have centralisation. We have to reverse this. The clubs are already working on this, together with great strength. A company has already been created that will manage the entire process and that includes all the clubs, including those that receive the most", stressed Pedro Proença.

The president of the LFPF also commented on the entry of investors in several of the SADs of the emblems that compete in the national professional echelons, as is projected to happen at Rio Ave, and considered it important to "maintain the balance between associative football and industry football".

"There has already been a significant legislative change on the subject. It is important to maintain the essence of the sport, but to understand that, today, football is also an economic activity, of entertainment, that generates many millions and that pays many taxes. It is a reality that requires a lot of rigour, but we see the entry of investors as natural, as happens in many other European clubs", he stressed.

Even so, Pedro Proença guaranteed a 'tight net' for companies that do not respect commitments and regulations.

"As a regulatory entity, it is up to us to understand that there are sports competitions, but also economic ones. Not everyone who wants to be in the professional competitions is there, but only those who can. The regulatory framework is very demanding. This year we will make changes to the salary control chapter, which will come into force next season. The consequences for those who fail to comply will be very harsh", he guaranteed.

Pedro Proença also addressed a word of recognition for Rio Ave's anniversary, praising the growth of the Vila-Condense club.

"They knew how to make the transition from an associative model to a professional model. Congratulations to Rio Ave and to the president, Alexandrina Cruz, who had a difficult season, but knew how to find the way and who has already accustomed us to being at a higher level", he concluded.