João Noronha Lopes, the rival defeated by Luis Filipe Vieira in the 2020 Benfica presidential election, has credibly eliminated the former club leader.
Speaking at the General Assembly held tonight, Noronha Lopez made it clear:
“Luis Filipe Vieira has already embarrassed us in the Assembly of the Republic, but I managed to overcome myself. For several hours, on two nights marked by our rivals, he attacked and slandered. He put his personal interests above those of the club. He showed once again that he is not looking for means to protect his image. Benfica fans will never forget the utterly disgusting moment when he tried to drag with him the greatest symbol of the institution he presided over.”
The businessman also regretted that the former president did not have the courage to attend a large meeting, and turned to Rui Costa: “Mr. President, here is an opportunity not to be a hostage to the past. You have to take charge of the disastrous season and cut straight. We need a solid structure and an armored bath.”
“You had several reasons to unambiguously move away from Vieira’s legacy. He did not do it with the determination and scope required by the circumstances. As long as you allow this narrative to control you, you risk reality holding you hostage to a past that we are not proud of. Here, then, is a new opportunity to finally break with the past. With all the democratic legitimacy of the vast majority of partners who elected him 8 months ago,” he said, ending: “In good times and bad, count on us, we hope to count on you.”
