Sporting Lisbon president to servce as a doctor during State of Emergency

LISBON - Doctor Frederico Varandas, the president of the Portuguese Premiership League football club Sporting Lisbon, announced on Thursday his decision to serve as a doctor, to help fight the pandemic Covid-19 disease that is disrupting the health system of Portugal and other countries in the world, local media reported.

"For the generations of our parents and grandparents, but also for this generation that cannot grow up in a country suffocated in another serious economic crisis. For all of them, for Portugal ... let's go! Each one in their way. Some making bread, others informing the Portuguese, others working on their services to keep the economy and the country up," Varandas announced in his Instagram account.

"I have served the country before, today I will do it again while the State of Emergency lasts ... and I will whenever Portugal needs it. Come on ... let's go with everything," the president of Sporting Lisbon said.

After the announcement of the State of Emergency made by Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the government is hiring retired doctors without being subject to age limits, to help with the fight of world pandemic Covid-19 disease.

As of Thursday, Portugal has reported 785 confirmed cases with four deaths.