The Agency for Integration, Immigration and Asylum (AIMA) will conclude agreements with several sports federations to speed up residence permits for non-EU athletes and thus reduce the impact of the new immigration law on Portuguese sport and football in particular.
After meeting with the Association of Clubs and Sports Federations of the various sports (handball, basketball, football, skiing and volleyball), the Executive Director Luis Montenegro approved the clubs' request for the “exceptional resources” provided for in Article 123 of the Foreigners Law. The Ministry of the Presidency informed yesterday that “the special situation of professional athletes and the economic and social importance and general interest of professional sports justify the measures that allow the rapid processing of their documentary status on the national territory”.
Given the difficulties resulting from the implementation of the decree-law of June 3 (which ended with an expression of interest, which clubs and athletes resorted to after the athletes entered the country), the use of this measure by sports is “justified, starting from the transfer periods of the 2024-25 sports season”, given “the need for clubs to adapt to the legislation currently in force on immigration matters”.
Thus, the “green path” will be created, as DN reported, after the draft protocol is written. “I think we will have a structural solution to the problem, so that the clubs can end this transfer window with some peace of mind,” said Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese League, who presented the proposal to the clubs today at the end of the season meeting.
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