Pedro Proença audio clips allege threat to Fernando Seara and harsh referee criticism | OneFootball

Audio recordings attributed to Pedro Proença, the current president of the Portuguese Football Federation, have ignited controversy in Portuguese football. One clip carries an apparent warning to Fernando Seara, then Benfica’s general assembly president.

According to Glorioso 1904, the recordings, said to be around two years old, discuss refereeing, disciplinary matters and Benfica. They quickly spread online after publication.

In a segment focused on his past legal cases, Proença refers to Seara and says, "Queres jogar esse jogo comigo, Seara? Não brinques comigo c******". In the same audio, he says he was called to the Polícia Judiciária 32 times, 27 involving Benfica, and claims case instruction happens at the League.

Another clip contains a stark assessment of refereeing standards, with most Portuguese officials described as weak. He says only three or four are at a competent level, naming Artur Soares Dias, João Pinheiro, Nuno Almeida and Godinho.

Proença also speaks about José Fontelas Gomes, now an FPF vice-president, describing him as a product of Pedro and saying Tiago Craveiro once pushed him to feign a dispute. He adds that Zé is not as competitive as he is and thinks only about football.

Both Seara and the FPF declined to comment on the content, citing the alleged illegal nature of the recordings. The audios are said to have been captured during Proença’s campaign for the FPF presidency.

Source: Glorioso 1904