FC Porto celebrated their 31st Primeira Liga title on Saturday night, and made sure to rub it in with rivals Sporting.
Sporting CP had won the last two Portuguese crowns, but Francisco Farioli’s side dethroned them with two games to spare.
Later, the celebrations went outside of the Dragao Stadium to a podium in front of the fans, and Sporting were the target of abuse.
Midfielder Gabri Veiga called out the Lisbon side’s president, Frederico Varandas, who said Porto were ‘afraid’ when they dropped points last month.
“They said we were very afraid. They said we played very little,” he told fans.
“They said that next year playing in the Champions League wouldn’t work.
“They said the president knew we wouldn’t make it because he was the coach. But here we are…”
Pepê also started a chant about Varandas telling him to ‘go to hell’, while there were rather strange scenes as Veiga uncovered a watermelon with the Sporting president’s picture on it.
He then dropped the fruit off the stage, narrowly missing a police officer.
William Gomes then referenced Sporting midfielder Pedro Goncalves who he had a skirmish with earlier this season.
“A hug to my friend Pote,” he said.
Samu then added a barb, telling the crowd: “Three-time champions? Third place!”
“They said it was the three-peat, they said we were going to fall. And the champion is FC Porto, damn it!”
Farioli celebrates Porto title
One person focusing on himself was coach Farioli, who was celebrating success a year on from his Ajax heartbreak.
Ajax gave up a nine point Eredivisie lead under the Italian, who was in a reflective mood.
He said: “Football gives and takes away, I think we did something extraordinary at Ajax, unfortunately it didn’t end the way we wanted.
“Today I received several messages from my players from last season, from the management, and I think that today a little bit of this achievement is for them.
“My two sons are incredible fans, they always play FC Porto songs at home, it’s special to have this opportunity, in a unique moment, to experience it with the family is special.”
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