According to Portuguese newspaper Record, Sérgio Galvão, Mayor of Torres Vedras, has publicly criticized Casa Pia's ticketing arrangements for the second leg of the Primeira Liga promotion-relegation playoff against Liga Portugal 2. He condemned Casa Pia's decision to close the central stand at Rio Maior Stadium as "unreasonable" and accused the club of "artificially creating barriers" that prevent Torreense supporters from attending the crucial match.

In an interview with media, Galvão stated: "What is happening is unacceptable. The essence of sport is fans, atmosphere, and spectator participation. Yet what we see now is the opposite." He cited the recently concluded Copa del Rey final as an example, noting that nearly 20,000 Torreense supporters attended to back their team in what was celebrated as a civic football celebration. However, for this crucial playoff match, those same fans may be barred from entering the stadium—a stark and troubling contrast.

Galvão further emphasized that football matches, especially those determining promotion, should be as open to the public as possible rather than artificially restricting viewing areas. "We must be clear that sporting events are not closed activities but part of public culture. There is still time before the match, and every opportunity exists to reverse this decision," he said. "There is no reasonable justification for closing a stand that was fully open for regular Primeira Liga matches. These restrictions, supposedly based on security concerns, appear to be a 'technical maneuver' designed to prevent Torreense fans from attending."

He also pointed out that this arrangement affects not only fan experience but also the match's atmosphere and fairness. "Rio Maior Stadium has approximately 7,000 seats, fully capable of meeting this match's demands. Football's essence is open competition—11 versus 11—and the atmosphere created by fans in the stands. Without this, the game itself loses meaning," he stated.

The controversy stems from the second leg of the promotion playoff between Casa Pia and Torreense. The first leg ended 0-0 at Torreense's home, making the second leg a winner-take-all match for the final spot in Portugal's top division. However, just before this crucial fixture, Casa Pia announced it would close the central stand, citing "security concerns" as the reason for not publicly selling tickets to that section.

According to the club's explanation, Torreense will receive approximately 100 Category A away tickets plus the mandatory 5% allocation for away team seating. However, the central main stand—typically the most prominent on television broadcasts and offering the best viewing experience—will not be open to the general public. This decision has raised widespread questions.

What makes this more puzzling is that this stand operated normally in previous matches. During the final stages of the Primeira Liga season, this area accommodated large crowds without security issues. Consequently, there is public skepticism about the rationale behind Casa Pia's "temporary closure" and doubt that the decision follows consistent standards.

Casa Pia responded by stating that ticket sales are sectional, with only the main stand (for home club members) and the away section currently open. If main stand tickets sell out, they may consider reopening the central stand, but even then, priority would go to home club members rather than the general public. This explanation has not fully addressed public concerns and has intensified debate over fair ticket distribution.

In the first leg, not all approximately 170 away tickets Casa Pia provided were sold, further complicating ticketing arrangements for the second leg. For Torreense, however, the core issue is not merely ticket quantity but overall stadium accessibility and whether fans can fairly access this crucial match.

The controversy continues to escalate. As the match approaches, all parties are calling on Casa Pia to reconsider its ticket policy to ensure this decisive playoff—which will determine promotion—takes place in a fair, open environment with appropriate football atmosphere. For Torreense supporters, it is not only the match result they await but a football spectacle in which they can personally participate.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.