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Benfica’s formal petition to suspend and review Portugal’s centralized television rights model has been officially accepted by the Assembleia da República, opening a 60-day window for public subscription and parliamentary debate.
The legislative initiative, titled “Pela suspensão e revisão do Modelo de Comercialização Centralizada dos Direitos Audiovisuais,” was formally submitted by club president Rui Costa under Portugal’s constitutional right of petition. According to notices published by the Assembleia da República and reported by outlets including A Bola and O Jogo, the measure is now accessible on the parliament’s electronic platform for public endorsement by any citizen, member, or supporter.
Parliamentary Path and 60-Day Public Consultation Window
With validation complete, the petition sits on the official legislative docket for a two-month review period. According to club communications cited by O Jogo, the primary objective behind securing signatures is to force an extensive debate among political parties with parliamentary representation regarding the legal framework currently governing audiovisual rights.
While Benfica presses the pause button through legislative channels, Portuguese football authorities maintain that statutory obligations remain untouched.
Core Arguments and Structural Demands from Benfica
The petition’s text challenges the current implementation timeline and architecture of the centralized model, arguing that profound shifts in the modern audiovisual landscape demand a deeper look. Citing technological transformation and evolving consumer habits across global sports markets, the initiative insists that reforms cannot move forward without comprehensive safeguards for clubs.
According to documentation released by Benfica and detailed by RTP, the key demands driving the parliamentary initiative include:
- An independent technical, economic, and legal evaluation before any implementation occurs.
- Protection of club revenues, ongoing investment capacity, financial sustainability, and overall competitiveness.
- Maintenance of the capital social and control of the centralizing entity strictly under the ownership of professional sports societies.
- A transparent process anchored on the voluntary adherence of participating clubs rather than rigid top-down mandates.
Broader Institutional Friction Across Portuguese Football
The acceptance of the petition escalates an ongoing public debate over how television revenues should be managed and distributed across professional divisions. Speaking on the matter in broadcast appearances covered by Now Canal, Rui Costa framed the initiative as a direct challenge to political power structures reliant on the backing of millions of supporters.
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