Clube Desportivo de Mafra announces, with deep sadness but also with a sense of responsibility, the confirmation of relegation at the end of the current sporting season.
After seven consecutive years in professional football, a journey that fills with pride everyone who is part of this home, we acknowledge that this season fell short of expectations and, above all, far from what our supporters deserved. The planning, the effort and the will that we put into every match and every decision were not enough to achieve the objectives set.
We acknowledge, with complete humility, the mistakes made. We know that love for the club, on the part of everyone who accompanies us — supporters, athletes, staff and partners — demands transparency, respect and truth. It is in that spirit that we face this moment.
However, yesterday does not mark the end of our story. We have been in this place before. We have felt this pain before. And it was precisely from that pain that we were reborn, stronger, more united, more determined. The past proves that Clube Desportivo de Mafra is a club capable of rising again and of building, through work and dedication, the foundations of a solid and ambitious future.
This is the beginning of a new stage. A stage in which we reaffirm our commitment to sustained growth, to the development of our young people, and to respect for the identity that binds us to our land and to our people.
This year we began to improve our infrastructure. We renovated our training ground to the highest possible standard and built new facilities next to it. Changing rooms, gym, medical rooms, offices for the coaching staff and for daily operations — all at the best level to be found in Portugal.
We are also preparing new top-level training facilities in the Mafra area, with 5 to 6 grass pitches and high-level accommodation for players and staff. A new academy will welcome players from the Mafra area, players from various regions of Portugal and young international players. We have already signed seven long-term contracts with young players and this year we benefited from this long-term work by developing two players for the Portuguese youth national teams.
We can hardly wait to share the details of the academy plans with you.
We are confident that these investments, together with the lessons of this season, will bring a bright future to CD Mafra and take youth and senior football at the club to new levels.
To all who have been, are and will continue to be with us: thank you. Your support is, and will always be, the greatest strength of this club.
Antonino Florindo, President of CD Mafra
Joaquim Duarte, General Manager of CD Mafra
Per Rud, CEO of CD Mafra
Claus Steinlein, Chairman of The Football Collective
