Before the classic between FC Porto and Benfica, scheduled for Sunday at 6:00 p.m. at the Estádio da Luz, a group of members of the blue and white emblem publishes an open letter expressing their concern about the nomination of referee João Pinheiro to referee the 25th matchday of the League.
«Joga-se muito mais do que três pontos. I appreciate the credibility of Portuguese football with respect for thousands of fans who want to see the game decided just within the four lines. João Pinheiro’s nomination for games at this level inevitably raises concerns among many players. “In memory of what happened in Luz in 2023, with the expulsion of Fábio Cardoso 19 minutes into the first half – a decision that generated enormous controversy and that conditioned the final result of this challenge – continues to be present among the followers of FC Porto”, we begin by referring to the almost 50 signatories, including Luís Barradas, Heleno Roseira and João Present candidates in the 2024 elections for the presidency of the Board of the General Assembly, for the presidency of the Fiscal and Disciplinary Council and for the vice president of the Directorate, respectively.
«As we all saw in Alvalade in the last third fair, it is not acceptable that, in games of this dimension, decisions are repeated that leave deep doubts and that end up marking games that should be decided only by the talent of two players and the competition of the teams. Make teams that play only against an opponent. “FC Porto by system, play against the opponent and against a peculiar concept called ‘criterion'”, continued the group of blue-collar associates, fearful that in Luz “it’s worth everything to try” to demolish a team oriented by Francesco Farioli.
«When FC Porto denounces press, lies and cowardice, when only others demand transparency and truth in Portuguese football. But the fans of FC Porto do not have privileges. It’s just something simple: fairness, judgment and courage for the team of referees and video referees. (…) That no Sunday or protagonist seja or game – and nothing more than an arbitration decision that will be forever associated with the result, because we believe that in Luz it is worth everything to try to tear us down,” he concludes in an open letter.