How was the Federation born? What were the first values, objectives and goals?
FPF eFootball was born in 2017 with Allianz Challenge’s creation, a FIFA tournament in which more than 1500 players attended and a cash prize of more than 20 thousand euros. Since then, FPF virtual soccer division’s values and objectives are based on Portugal’s sport development. We want to offer more and better conditions to national athletes and make sure virtual soccer’s growth, not only in Portugal but also worldwide, for Portuguese soccer players results can have good results in big championships such as FIFA’s World Cup and the Nations Cup.Our goal is to position virtual soccer next to other FPF’s sports, such as soccer, indoor soccer and beach soccer. For that, FPF guarantees FIFA and eFootball players a platform with competitions, prizes and events to promote trainees and virtual soccer club’s growth. At the moment, there are registered on efootball.fpf.pt ‘s platformwhich games have been played for over 22 thousand players and more than 20 thousand virtual soccer matches have been played.
How did EA Sports initiative come up in order to promote female soccer? Who is the standout player at the moment? If we wanted to interview a player, who would you recommend?
This initiative was taken alongside FPF’s mission of promoting women’s soccer. Fortunately, EA Sports shares the same feeling towards women soccer and we accomplished, for the first time in gaming history, the presentation of the FIFA 22 National Women Team. With Jessica Silva as a role model, FIFA 22’s million players will have the opportunity to play with our team stars.
In this sense, what role are women playing today regarding soccer? Is there more visibility or spaces for them? Why?
The future means having more women playing on big virtual soccer competitions, as we are talking about a democratic modality for all ages and genders. Currently we are developing a project to promote virtual soccer among female audiences and with great success we launched, last season, the W Challenge, the first virtual women soccer competition. This competition had a bag of prizes of two thousand euros and the final was organized in Cidade do Futebol, between CD Tondela’s player and a TS Warrior player, who is in TotóSalvio’s team. In the end, the player Tondela Raquel Martinho won the trophy.
How is the Portuguese player? What is the difference with other players?
The Portuguese player, as in soccer, is a passionate player of the sport and has a great dedication and knowledge of the game. Although Portugal has a smaller base of players than other countries, we are a solid reference in virtual soccer. In 2019, we won third place on the worldwide championship with RastaArtur and Tuga810, and in 2011, who is now the virtual soccer’s National Selector. We have great talent in Portugal, both players and organizers, and we are on the right path to conquer great titles around the world.
Currently, manybetting housesinvest and sponsor traditional soccer clubs. Do you think this is going to happen on Electronic Esports? What advantages can this bring to the industry?
Yes, this is a reality at the moment, however, betting houses must be seen as regular partners and the job has to be done in a sustainable and responsible way. Partners, such as betting houses or from another sector, are fundamental for Esportsgrowth, but also there has to be a professional commitment between both sides in order to witness a positive growth for the industry. In betting house’s particular case, the advantages for the industry are undoubtedly investment, players and clubs support, but as mentioned previously, this relationship has to beresponsible and pedagogical regarding communication with the community. We believe that this communication work with young audiences is fundamental to address and alert about the dangers that some practices can involve.
What are the projects for the rest of 2021? What are new the ideas and goals for the next years?
Unfortunately, we are still experiencing the pandemic and the challenges still are huge. However, we are on the right path and we want to continue with the work we have developed by FPF to go back to normality. We are going to start a new season with many news in our community and in order to make that happen we have the obligation to keep offering the best conditions for players and clubs. Reason why new season’s first two competitions will be celebrated until the end as they are in preparation by the end of 2021. In the next years, we want to increase virtual soccer trainees numbers and develop more projects that help the sport’s growth, projects regarding health and performance, formation actions and promotions for clubs and players.
How many clubs belong to the Federation at the moment? Which ones are the most famous and with more prizes? We know the team is positioned among the 24 bests in the world.
The FPF now counts with more than 300 clubs, more than 22 thousand players and each season distributes more than 50 thousand euros in prizes. Our virtual soccer teams are among the best worldwide, as much as in UEFA, where we won top 8 in eEuro 2021, as in FIFA, we accomplished a classification in FIFA eNations Cup 2021, but it was cancelled due to COVID-19. We want to continue with this job developed in the National team and win a big title.