APAF take drastic step, Benfica v Sporting clash now in doubt | OneFootball

The Portuguese Football Referees Association (APAF) announced, through a recently issued statement titled “Red Card to Verbal Violence”, that it is prepared to proceed with a complete halt of refereeing teams in Portuguese football. The organization's purpose, as is now known, is to intensify protests, and the threat could have a significant impact on the Benfica - Sporting match - for which António Nobre has been announced as the main referee.

APAF begins by explaining that it recently held a meeting with several members of Liga Portugal, including President Reinaldo Teixeira, to discuss some issues related to referees. After receiving an unsatisfactory response regarding their demands, the organization threatens to intensify protest actions.

Then, APAF even threatens a complete stoppage of football referees. The organization writes next: "We demand that this issue be finally addressed with the seriousness and depth it deserves and that it be properly debated in Liga Portugal, both in the General Assembly and at the Presidents' Summit, scheduled for December 4th."

It should be noted that December 4th is exactly the day before the Benfica - Sporting, the big match of the 13th round of Liga Portugal Betclic. The encounter between lions and eagles could thus be at risk if APAF does not see its demands resolved and decides to make the threats in its statement a reality.

"It is essential that regulatory and disciplinary changes are clearly on the table, and that there is a genuine willingness to adjust the regulations for the benefit of the competitions", explains APAF, in the final part of the statement issued this Wednesday, December 3rd.

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