FC Porto deny probe insinuations and insist they do not appoint referees | OneFootball

FC Porto issued a lengthy statement on Sunday rejecting television claims of a Polícia Judiciária investigation into alleged interference in refereeing following denunciations by Duarte Gomes. The club said in a statement that the insinuations were false and hostile, adding that it does not appoint referees or influence the Conselho de Arbitragem.

It cited the January 2026 Taça de Portugal clássico at Estádio do Dragão, when Fábio Veríssimo was assigned, as the context for its public and institutional protest. With cases then pending involving the club and the referee, the choice was described as imprudent for the competition, the club and the official. Porto notified the Federação Portuguesa de Futebol president after the appointment and acknowledged the council’s independence, while denying any clandestine pressure.

It argued that a later television exclusive merely resurfaced its 13 January note eight months on, embellishing it with a red caption. Portraying an institutional objection as a conspiracy was labelled a distortion at a time when Portuguese justice is probing possible interference, favouritism and leaks in referee appointments. It has demanded clarification of refereeing operations and was the only one to advocate the temporary suspension of the council’s president while facts are established.

It also complained about refereeing standards this season, stating that across six league rounds only the matches against Rio Ave and Arouca were free of incidents that harmed the team. In the remaining games, a run of unfortunate decisions repeatedly went against Porto.

The club is assessing the episode and will take whatever measures it deems necessary, including legal action, to protect its name, reputation and image. It accepts scrutiny and debate but rejects falsehoods and insinuations, and pledged to keep speaking out, questioning and defending its interests.

Source: O Jogo

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