Duarte Gomes backs Portuguese referees: Truth will prevail | OneFootball

Duarte Gomes, national technical director of refereeing, publicly commented on the recent controversies involving the Benfica–Casa Pia and FC Porto–SC Braga matches, reaffirming his complete confidence and pride in the work of Portuguese referees.

Asked about the reports by Fábio Veríssimo and Gustavo Correia, the official emphasized the importance of truth and responsibility: “What we feel when our referees tell their truth is pride, but also a sense of mission. They are required to report everything that happens, both on and off the field. When Fábio, Gustavo, or any other referee writes down what they witnessed, we feel that they have fulfilled their duty. Afterwards, there are situations that move from the refereeing sphere to the disciplinary one. Justice has its own timing and will ensure that the truth prevails.”

Regarding the term “jarra,” often used to refer to the suspension of referees, Duarte Gomes was emphatic: “We don’t talk about ‘jarras’ nor do we show anyone that we’re going to do that. The first to know when they are going to be held accountable are the referees themselves, not the press or the clubs. Anything else you hear is not official.”

The former referee also clarified that the lack of appointments does not always correspond to a sanction, and may instead be a protective measure: performance management often aims to shield the referee from public exposure. A mistake has professional and family consequences, and referees are held accountable – including in terms of ranking, finances, and self-esteem.

Finally, Duarte Gomes stressed that transparency and a sense of responsibility are essential for the credibility of Portuguese refereeing.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.