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)