Jorge Silvério, Supporters Ombudsman, Portuguese Professional Football League, outlines his responsibilities as the ombudsman of the supporters at league level. We learn about fan culture in Portugal and its implications on his job to improve the relationship between the fans and their clubs and the league.

1. Bridging a Gap – Supporters Liaison Officers as a Model in Europe Supporter’s Ombudsman: A Portuguese Experience JORGE MANUEL AMARAL SILVÉRIO (provedordoadepto@lpfp.pt) III European Football Fans Congress Barcelona, 17 July 2010

9. Home advantage Home advantage exists in the last 15 seasons (since a victory means 3 points) in the Portuguese First League Football ranging from 58 to 65%.

13. Portuguese Football Ombudsman First thing I have done Meeting with all the 32 Professional Clubs (First and Second league) and ask them to nominate a person which is working in connection with me (embryo of a Supporters Liaison Officer).

14. Portuguese Football Ombudsman What I do When I have a suggestion/complaint related to that club I talk with this person Reactions: some clubs respond well to all the people (supporters of their club or no) and other (Ex: a club President said to me that if is going to respond to one supporter he had to respond to all of them!!!)

15. Portuguese Football Ombudsman Difficulties -Economics -Mentality -Clubs Organigrams -Clear and well defined functions -Education/training

16. Portuguese Football Ombudsman: 1 year balance -1000 interactions -82% of them by fulfilling the form on the website -from all over Portugal and a minority from other countries -39% critics; 23% complaints; 23% doubts; 15% suggestions/proposals -94% men's; 6% women’s

17. Portuguese Football Ombudsman: 1 year balance Some examples: -Refereeing: mainly complains… -Security and violence -Prices -Legislation: suggestions, doubts -Game rules -Malfunctions and suggestions related to the website functioning

18. Portuguese Football Ombudsman: 1 year balance Some examples: -Suggestions about rules -Help for academic works -Disciplinary measures -Television transmissions -Stadium conditions -Greater anticipation in knowing the games days and hours

19. Portuguese Football Ombudsman: 1 year balance Some examples: -Organized supporters groups -Death menaces -Players and coaches offer for working -Offensive chanting’s in the stadium -Mother asking for a video of their child

20. Portuguese Football Ombudsman: 1 year balance Some examples: -Congratulations for my work: a few -Critics of my work (more than congratulations) -Games scheduling -Conditions for disabled people in the stadiums

21. “ Without the passionate supporters in a Stadium the atmosphere is nothing, the game is not the same” Thomas Weineman (Fan Project of Borussia Monchengladbach)