“The organised groups of fans of the eight clubs that are represented in the League Cup intend to boycott the competition as a form of protest, from its beginning to the end, including the ‘final four’ and the final, from a perspective of protest for the attitude of the [Portuguese Professional Football] League of wanting to export the product”, said Martha Gens.

In a statement, the APDA states that “it is unequivocal to assume” that holding the ‘final four’ abroad “will only not happen this season because no one has shown interest or provided enough money to host these games in their country”.

She considers, in this sense, that “holding national competition games on foreign soil, with the sole intention of making a few more millions, is a blatant disrespect for all those who passionately love football and the clubs”.

“This is a total disregard for the League, which creates a competition with the aim of feeding it with fans, who spent good years ‘getting fat’ and creating their success and then exporting it abroad”, criticised Martha Gens, in statements to Lusa.

The APDA statement is signed by organised groups of fans of Nacional (Armada Alvinegra), Sporting (Juventude Leonina, Ultras DUXXI, Torcida Verde and Brigada Ultras Sporting), Moreirense (Green Devils), FC Porto (Collectivo 95 and Super Dragões), Santa Clara (Armada Vermelha), Vitória de Guimarães (White Angels, Insane Guys and Gruppo 1922) and Sporting de Braga (Red Boys and Bracara Legion).

“It is a good sign that all these groups, which are so often talked about, and not always for the best reasons, are able to understand that only together can they be able to take their position forward”, praised Martha Gens.

Asked about the absence of Benfica supporters, the president of APDA explained that “that doesn't mean they don't boycott” and 'took the opportunity' to call for the same position to be taken by all fans.

“The truth is that we also want to raise awareness among other fans, who have also paid and contributed to the growth of the competition, to do the same. We are all paying for tickets and going to football in shameful times, and they take the icing off the cake, which is the possibility of watching the games and supporting our teams in the decisive phase”, said the president of APDA.

The quarter-finals of the 2024/25 League Cup will be played next week, with the meetings Sporting-Nacional (Tuesday), Benfica-Santa Clara (Wednesday), Sporting de Braga-Vitória de Guimarães and FC Porto - Moreirense (Thursday).

The format of the competition started this season, to include only the top six classified in the I League and the first two in the II League in the previous season.