The Prime Minister canceled his trip to Qatar to watch the Portuguese national team’s match against South Korea, in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, on Friday, for health reasons, according to an official source in his Lusa office on Wednesday.
The same source added that Antonio Costa will replace the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Ana Catarina Mendez, who is in charge of sports.
After defeating Ghana (3-2) in the opening round, Portugal won Monday in Lucille Uruguay (2-0) thanks to a brace from Bruno Fernandez (54 and 90 + 3 minutes, second penalty), ensuring their presence in the round of 16 Competition.
The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Souza, attended the opening match of the Portuguese national team, while the President of the Assembly of the Republic, Augusto Santos Silva, who is the second figure in the state, attended the match on Monday.
The presence of the main figures of the state in Qatar sparked controversy, due to the criticisms made by Marcelo and Costa for violating human rights in that country, while maintaining the planned trips, which are in the case of the head of state. Government, it has now been abolished, but for health reasons.
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