Open War between Fernando Gomes and Pedro Proença for the millions of bets

Fernando Gomes wants part of the bet money to be invested in supporting base sport, but Pedro Proença is against any cut in the slice that is intended for football.

The tension between Fernando Gomes, chairman of the Portugal Olympic Committee (COP), and Pedro Proença, current leader of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), is warming up with a new battle front: the redistribution of millions coming from Sports bets online.

This Monday, the Portuguese Sports Confederation (CDP) organizes a summit with the presidents of the sports federations to discuss a proposal that alter The way around 67 million euros generated by 2023 are divided.

Currently, the distribution of bets on bets is based on the volume of bets by modality. In 2023, only Four Federations raised 97.9% Of the funds, and the FPF was, by far, the main beneficiary, receiving 50.2 million euros, recalls the.

Fernando Gomes, who is now chairman of the Olympic Committee, has defended the creation of a solidarity fund, as in Spain and UEFA competitions, where a fixed percentage is redistributed to support base sport.

However, any cut in the FPF slice to finance this fund would find strong Opposition of Pedro Proençawhose position was weakened after failing the election to the UEFA Executive Committee, in a process in which Gomes abstained from support.

The history of divergences between them is old. By the time he was president of the Portugal League, Proença already criticized the uneven distribution of the funds, pointing out that although the league competitions generated 60% of the bets, received only 30% of the fundswhile the FPF raised 70%.

In the race to be president of the FPF, Proença promised to increase bets on professional clubs, but also risks displease the district associationswhich represent amateur football.

The CDP summit thus promises to mark the beginning of an institutional battle with deep implications for the financing of national sport.