FC Porto seek answers on Duarte Gomes exit: “Deep concern at public facts” | OneFootball

FC Porto reacted this morning to the resignation of Duarte Gomes, demanding clarification from the president of the Refereeing Council, Luciano Gonçalves, and also calling on Pedro Proença for a «deep reflection» on the current state of Portuguese refereeing.

The blue-and-white club wants an analysis of the sector’s leadership model and argues for institutional intervention to ensure stability and calm at the start of the new sporting season.

In a statement published on its official website, the Dragons also recalled that, throughout last season, they had already publicly expressed reservations about the way the Refereeing Council was operating, arguing that this framework had contributed to instability in decisions on the pitch.

«FC Porto is following with deep concern and consternation the facts recently made public regarding the refereeing sector and the departure of Duarte Gomes from the position of National Technical Director of Refereeing at the Portuguese Football Federation, as well as the information that the case has reportedly been referred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Without prejudice to the necessary rigorous establishment of the facts by the competent authorities, and without anticipating any conclusion, the institutional seriousness of the allegations now brought to light requires transparency, responsibility and urgent answers. Refereeing is an essential pillar of the credibility of competitions, and Portuguese football cannot accept silence replacing the explanations that clubs, referees, other sporting agents and fans have the right to know. Throughout last season, FC Porto issued several public warnings expressing concern about the operating model of the current Refereeing Council and the way it was affecting the smooth running of competitions and creating instability in referees’ decision-making on the pitch. Time has confirmed those concerns. Therefore, the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, Pedro Proença, is required, not least because of his acknowledged 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 intervention aimed at guaranteeing the necessary calm at the start of this season’s competitions. FC Porto will await, as a matter of utmost urgency, for the President of the Refereeing Council, Luciano Gonçalves, to provide all due clarification 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.