Football often sparks fiery debates, especially when the referee’s whistle sounds. But a recent gathering aimed to smooth out some of those tensions. It was an effort to build understanding among different voices in the sport.
The Refereeing Council (CA) of the FPF hosted a unique meeting. They invited former referees who now work as football commentators for various media outlets. The event took place at the Cidade do Futebol. Its main goals were clear: to show off the full plan for their term and to introduce Duarte Gomes, the new National Technical Director of Refereeing.
Luciano Gonçalves, who serves as the CA President, guided the entire session. First, guests were given a tour of the Cidade do Futebol facilities. Then, Gonçalves explained the core ideas behind the project he wants to put in place. He made it clear that the goal is to open up the world of refereeing to everyone involved in football. This includes sports commentators, who often share their views on decisions. This special meeting brought them all together at the same table.
During the discussion, Luciano Gonçalves and Duarte Gomes shared their main thoughts for the near future of refereeing. They also took the time to answer some of the key questions from the invited commentators.
Towards the end of the session, Pedro Proença, the FPF President, made a point to visit the room. He spoke directly to the attendees. His words focused on how important refereeing is and how vital everyone’s work is in national football. He also firmly restated his full trust in the CA’s efforts. As a nice touch, each participant was given a national team jersey.
The commentators who took part in this event were António Rola, Fortunato Azevedo, Jorge Coroado, Jorge Faustino, José Leirós, Marco Pina, Paulo Pereira, Pedro Henriques, and Venâncio Tomé.
