Portuguese referees protest as clubs launch probe as the match officials are speaking out against alleged intimidation.
Portuguese clubs launch insults but referees find their voice in protest.
Referees in Portugal are speaking out and protesting following a string of incidents involving insults and suspected intimidation that have thrown the sport into disarray.
In a rare show of disobedience, match officials are holding pre-match rallies in protest of what they see as intimidation from clubs and officials. Clubs continue to draw attention to contentious rulings despite the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) holding emergency meetings with referee representatives.
Referees and clubs have never had a good relationship in Portugal. In late July, Benfica publicly opposed the nomination of Féliio Veríssimo for their Super Cup match against Sporting, while certain clubs have previously urged behind closed doors that specific officials be kept off their games. However, things have escalated to a boiling point in recent weeks.
By showing a replay of a goal that was disallowed on a television in his dressing room during halftime on November 2, Veríssimo accused Porto of putting pressure on him. Veríssimo ruled out a goal from the loose ball after a Porto player clashed with the Braga goalkeeper during the goalless match.
A week later, during Benfica’s game against Casa Pia, tensions increased when a referee was allegedly threatened by a Benfica executive after giving a contentious penalty. One Benfica executive reportedly responded, “You are a fucking embarrassment.” Benfica had a 2-0 lead when the spot kick was saved, but when defender Tomás Araújo crashed the ball into his own net while attempting to clear, their happiness turned to anguish. Casa Pia was drawn after a stoppage-time equaliser.
Last weekend, the Portuguese Referees Association organised a symbolic protest in which match officials entered the pitch without the teams from the top two divisions. This coordinated act of resistance was intended to show that they would not be intimidated.
Referees, who are typically the quietest players on the pitch, now have a voice. 97% of the refereeing judgements made during the first ten rounds were accurate, according to the head of the FPF’s refereeing council, who publicly supported them. He stated that matches would still be assigned to threatened officials.
Portuguese football is playing on the edge, and the next whistle might cause more than just another scandal. The protests haven’t yet affected the games, though.