“Sporting considers any attempt, direct or indirect, to condition, influence or pressure referees or other sports agents to be absolutely unacceptable. Situations of this nature tarnish the credibility of competitions and are a clear setback for Portuguese football”, can be read in the statement released by the two-time national champion.
Faced with this situation, in which Fábio Veríssimo came across a television playing repeatedly, without the device being able to be turned off, some moments in the first half, Sporting wants “all responsibilities to be determined and sanctions applied”.
“Sporting demands that the competent authorities act relentlessly, investigating all responsibilities and applying the necessary sanctionswithout exceptions or complacency, announcing from now on that will also present a disciplinary report to the Disciplinary Council with a view to establishing the truth and those responsible.”pointed.
The ‘Leonine’ emblem also adds that “it will not accept a return to behind-the-scenes football and pressure, nor will it be used to disguise old practices with a new institutional appearance”.
On Monday, Benfica demanded “that the League, the Arbitration Council and the Disciplinary Council act urgently in light of the information made public about serious coercion against the referee of the FC Porto–Sporting de Braga match”.
In view of the “seriousness of the events reported”, the ‘incarnates’ ask for “a quick reaction from the competent authorities and a clarification regarding the developments of this episode which in no way dignifies and gives credibility to Portuguese football, so it is imperative that there are exemplary consequences”.
FC Porto has not yet reacted to this complaint described in the referee’s report.
Sp. Braga requested immediate responses and measures
Sp. Braga, FC Porto’s opponent, demands “firm and immediate responses” from the various entities, namely the FPF and the League. “The President of Sp. Braga addressed formal letters to the Presidents of the Portuguese Football Federation, the Arbitration Council and the Portugal League, requesting responses on the facts reported and on the action taken to defend the arbitration sector and the integrity of the competitions”, informed the Minho people this Tuesday, revealing that it was “given to these responsible a timing of response”.
Sp. Braga also guarantees that “he will analyze the referee’s report and the delegates’ report, certain that they will lead to the opening of investigation processes and disciplinary processes, which are expected to be as quick as possible and that guarantee, in a ruthless manner, the punishments that are imposed”.
Highlighting absolute confidence in the arbitration sector, the Braga club “calls for an exemplary performance by the sports justice system”, “under penalty of these agents being co-responsible for the foreseeable escalation if nothing is done”.