Bruno Vicintin, majority shareholder of Santa Clara’s SAD, threatens to merge the company that manages Azorean football with another club, if the Regional Government of the Azores cuts the support of one million euros that it has given to the Ponta Delgada club every season, for sponsoring the word “Azores” on its shirts.
The support, granted by the regional department of tourism, mobility and infrastructure, has not yet been approved for the 2026/27 season. «What I can say is what the general orientation is: the regional budget in the year 2026 is oriented, almost exclusively, towards PRR and PO 2030 projects. At the moment, we are in a situation of waiting to understand what will happen in the transition from one budget to the other and the availability there may be for this purpose. What I’m saying is that I still don’t know if my budget will allow it”, said Berta Cabral, Secretary of the Regional Government responsible for this matter, on this issue.
The lack of definition is displeasing those responsible for Santa Clara’s SAD, who believe they do not receive due recognition for what they have invested in the Azorean club, especially in infrastructure. Therefore, the discontent is real and if the usual support is cut, the Azoreans’ SAD – which holds participation in the League – could merge with a club on the continent, like SAD which was at Vilafranquense and moved to Aves.
