Portuguese Association of Professional Footballers President Joaquim Evangelista said that delays in wage payments by cash-strapped football clubs in Portugal "have forced dozens of players to ask their union for money for rent and food," according to Daniel Alvarenga of REUTERS. Evangelista warned that "the depth of the country's national sport is under threat due to poor management at smaller teams." Evangelista said, "The vast majority of professional clubs in Portugal had salary delays last season, with six-month delays in the most extreme cases." Evangelista, also a board member of world players' union FIFPro, blamed "blind ambition and poor management." Evangelista: "Most Portuguese clubs live far beyond their means and don't make an effort to adjust." Portuguese clubs such as Olhanense, Naval, Vitoria de Setubal and Vitoria de Guimaraes "were some of those hit by financial troubles." Evangelista said that by the end of '12, his union had distributed over €350,000 "in support to hard-up players." Evangelista: "Is this the professional football that UEFA promotes and that the Portuguese League wants? Enough is enough" (REUTERS, 7/17).
