Sporting hit out at alleged FC Porto pressure on Veríssimo: “Unacceptable” | OneFootball

On Tuesday morning, Sporting released a statement strongly condemning the alleged attempt by FC Porto to pressure referee Fábio Veríssimo during their 2-1 victory over Sporting de Braga at Estádio do Dragão.

“Sporting Clube de Portugal considers absolutely unacceptable any attempt, direct or indirect, to influence, condition, or pressure referees or other sports officials. Situations of this nature tarnish the credibility of the competitions and represent a clear setback for Portuguese football,” the statement reads.

“In light of reports of such serious incidents, which may constitute a disciplinary infraction punishable by disqualification or defeat according to the regulations, Sporting CP demands that the competent authorities act relentlessly, determining all responsibilities and applying the necessary sanctions, without exceptions or leniency. We also announce that we will file a disciplinary complaint with the Disciplinary Council to ascertain the truth and identify all those responsible,” it continues.

“Sporting CP will not accept a return to backroom dealings and pressure in football, nor the disguising of old practices with a new institutional appearance,” concludes the note shared by the reigning national champions.

Television in the Dragão dressing room prompted complaint

Correio da Manhã reported the day before that Fábio Veríssimo had included in his report a complaint related to one of the most anticipated matches of the 10th round of the Primeira Liga, between FC Porto and Sporting de Braga.

The referee from the Leiria Football Association accuses the management led by André Villas-Boas of having installed a television in the dressing room that could not be turned off, where clips deemed by the club to be unfavorable were shown during the first half.

In the episode in question, the 42-year-old referee disallowed a goal by Victor Froholdt after a VAR alert for a foul by Jan Bednarek on the opposing goalkeeper, Lukas Hornicek. On the same television, footage was shown of a similar incident that occurred in the final of the Torneio da Pontinha, in which the referee himself validated a goal by Benfica.

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