<br><div> <p data-end="505" data-start="217">Caldas reacted in the early hours of this Tuesday to the decision of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) to change the location of the Portuguese Cup round of 16 game against Sp. Braga, initially scheduled for Campo da Mata and transferred to Torreense's Manuel Marques Stadium.</p> <p data-end="927" data-start="507">In an official statement, the League 3 club clarifies that "it has always defended holding the match at its stadium", considering that the venue met the required regulatory conditions.</p> <p data-end="927" data-start="507">According to Caldas, this position was formalized in writing and accompanied by concrete interventions on the pitch, carried out in the week before the game by an external company linked to a League club, in conjunction with the FPF itself.</p> <p data-end="1314" data-start="929">The Management emphasizes that these improvements were carried out with the knowledge and validation of the competent authorities and that, until then, there was no formal indication that would make the match at Campo da Mata unfeasible. Still, the club claims to have been surprised by the federative decision, communicated around 24 hours before the game and against Caldas' expressed position.</p> <p data-end="1550" data-start="1316">Faced with this scenario, the Caldense administration claims to have «adamantly» defended the club's interests, even proposing the postponement of the meeting as an alternative solution, a proposal that ended up being rejected by the organizing entity.</p> <p data-end="1896" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="1552">Despite the disagreement, Caldas guarantees that it will comply with the FPF's decision and play the match at the Manuel Marques Stadium, this Tuesday, at 7pm.</p> <p data-end="1896" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="1552"><strong>Read the full statement here:</strong></p> <p data-end="1896" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="1552"><em>«Caldas Sport Clube hereby provides a public and detailed clarification to its members, fans and the community, regarding the decision of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) to change the location of the Portuguese Cup game, a decision communicated to the Club approximately 24 hours in advance and against the expressed and reiterated position of this Management. From the first moment, Caldas Sport Clube firmly, unequivocally and sustainedly defended the holding of the game at the Campo da Mata Stadium, considering — and proving — that the venue met the required regulatory conditions. This position was not just a conviction of the Club: it was formalized in writing, validated by all parties involved and accompanied by concrete actions. In the week before the game, and following instructions received, Caldas Sport Clube carried out interventions on the pitch, carried out by an external company associated with a Primeira Liga club, in conjunction with the FPF, precisely to ensure that the game took place in our stadium. These interventions were carried out and communicated with the knowledge and validation of the competent authorities, via email, and there was, until now, no formal indication to the contrary. Caldas Sport Clube was surprised, without anything to have predicted, that the game would not take place at Campo da Mata, even though the Board of Directors defended it fiercely, including the proposal to postpone the match, a solution that would allow the interests of the Club and its fans to be safeguarded. The proposal was declined. The Management of Caldas Sport Clube was not passive and did not stop defending the Club. He did so seriously, with actions on the ground and with full respect for the regulations. Notwithstanding all the above, Caldas Sport Clube will comply with the final decision of the organizing entity, to hold the game at the Manuel Marques Stadium, today at 7pm, affirming its commitment to competition, fair play and the defense of sporting truth. It does so, however, without giving up the truth of the facts and the duty to be accountable to its partners.”</em></p> <p data-end="1896" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="1552"><em>Caldas da Rainha, December 23, 2025 </em></p> <p data-end="1896" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="1552"><em>The Management of Caldas Sport Clube</em></p> </div>