FC Porto react to Duarte Gomes exit, demand answers now | OneFootball

Futebol Clube do Porto expresses deep concern and dismay over the facts recently disclosed regarding the refereeing sector and Duarte Gomes’s departure from the position of National Technical Director of Refereeing at the Portuguese Football Federation, as well as over the information that the case has reportedly been referred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Without prejudice to the thorough establishment of the facts by the competent authorities, and without anticipating any conclusion, the institutional seriousness of the allegations that have emerged requires transparency, accountability and swift answers. Refereeing is a fundamental pillar of the credibility of competitions, and Portuguese football cannot accept silence in place of the explanations that clubs, referees, other sporting stakeholders and fans have the right to know.

Throughout the last season, Futebol Clube do Porto made several public warnings about the operating model of the current Refereeing Council and the way it was affecting the normal course of competitions and generating instability in referees’ decisions on the pitch. Time has ultimately confirmed those concerns.

Therefore, the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, Pedro Proença, is called upon—also in light of his recognized past as a leading referee—to undertake a deep reflection on the state of refereeing in Portugal, an assessment of his choices to lead the sector, and institutional action to ensure the necessary calm at the start of this season’s competitions.

Futebol Clube do Porto will await the President of the Refereeing Council, Luciano Gonçalves, to provide, as a matter of utmost urgency, all due clarifications regarding the facts now known. The credibility of competitions requires clear answers, strong institutions and refereeing above any suspicion.

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