Marítimo traveled this Saturday morning from Lisbon to Funchal to catch a new flight to Porto, where they had a game scheduled for 3 PM. Águas Santas and the islanders are vying for the last spot in Group A. Mário Santos, director of FC Porto, says he has no available dates.
The cancellation of the game between FC Porto and Marítimo, counting towards the 21st and penultimate round of the regular phase of the national handball championship, is causing unease at Águas Santas.
Apparently, the Maia team had nothing to do with the case, but the reality is different, since the islanders and the Maia club are vying for the last spot to access Group A, which will include the top four teams from this phase, and from which the National champion will emerge.
Currently, Águas Santas occupies fourth place with 49 points after this afternoon’s victory against Belenenses. In the final round, they face the league leaders Sporting, who are still undefeated, but even in case of defeat, they will gain another point (50).
Marítimo (5th) has 44 points and two games to play (FC Porto and Belenenses). A victory in both games could give them six points, thus equaling their rivals’ points total (50). In that case, a direct confrontation would determine the Madeiran team’s qualification.
Marítimo claimed they were unable to travel to Porto due to logistical issues related to their flight from Funchal, but the fact that they planned to fly from Lisbon to Madeira this Saturday morning and return to Porto this morning is difficult to explain.
Manuel Cruz, president of Águas Santas, didn’t want to elaborate and was brief but assertive in his words.
“The Federation’s regulations are to be followed. Games are won on the courts, as we have done until now, and Águas Santas, and its sponsors, are attentive to possible behind-the-scenes maneuvering.”
Marítimo published a statement on its website which reads: “The decision is due to the adverse weather conditions recorded at Madeira Airport, on the return of the green-and-red team after the match against Vitória SC, held on February 25th. The resulting logistical constraints made it impossible to make another trip to face the blue and whites on the initially scheduled date.”
