The club, which has a contract with Altice, was one of those affected by the decision of the operator, to suspend monthly payments of television rights to football clubs in April, due to the absence of games caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Unfortunately, operators have suspended payments for television rights, and we all know the importance these funds have on the budgets of Portuguese football clubs. We know the consequences they can cause in the present and future of sports societies,” he said.
António Silva Campos was hopeful that the championship will resume and be concluded, hoping that Rio Ave can continue “with the historic achievements that had been reached until mid-March”.
“We will still have the time and opportunity to finish and continue what we have already done and achieved [this season]. We will be up to the challenges,” said the president of Rio Ave, whose team is currently in fifth place in League I.
The president of Rio Ave was speaking following celebrations of the clubs 81st anniversary, although the date was not marked with the usual celebrations and instead saw António Silva Campos attend a flag-raising ceremony of the club’s headquarters with a restricted group of members of the management, to honour deceased members.
The rest of the celebrations took place over the internet, where the entire squad, technical team, staff, and management coming together in a video call to sing congratulations to the club. Several former players and club technicians, such as Fábio Coentrão, Evandro, Duarte Sá, Carlos Brito, Henrique Calisto, Daniel Ramos and Luís Castro, left messages of congratulations.