Vítor Pinto slams Dragão ball boys: "Unsporting, may backfire" | OneFootball

The classic match between FC Porto and Sporting continues to generate debate—and it's not limited to what happened on the field. One of the most discussed controversies involves the actions of the ball boys at the Dragão, a topic analyzed by Vítor Pinto, deputy director of Record.

The journalist stated that the behavior was “unsportsmanlike” and issued a warning: this type of behavior could potentially harm FC Porto in the future.

The ball was always available, but the image remains

According to the information disclosed, from the moment FC Porto scored, the ball left the field 13 times. In none of these situations was there a lack of a ball for replacement.

Nevertheless, Vítor Pinto emphasized that this does not eliminate the criticism of the behavior.

For the commentator, the issue goes beyond the practical impact on the match: it concerns public perception and future consistency.

The risk of creating precedents

The deputy director of Record issued a direct warning: when FC Porto complains about time-wasting or unsportsmanlike conduct in other situations, this episode could be used as an argument against the Dragons.

From the perspective of Porto fans, this is a sensitive topic. The Dragão has prided itself on intensity, competitiveness, and constant pressure. The emotional management of match moments is part of the strategy—but there is a fine line between competitive intelligence and a negative image.

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