A football referee was physically assaulted by a player following a local league match in central Portugal, prompting strong condemnation from officials and renewed calls for ethical conduct in sports.
Tiago Gonçalves, a referee with the Castelo Branco regional football association, was attacked by Leo, a defender for Alcains Football Club, after a match last Sunday. The incident occurred following Alcains’ 3-2 loss to the Pedrógão club in a First Division District League game.
After the final whistle, the referee was reportedly surrounded by players, with Leo identified as one of the most agitated players who made physical contact with Gonçalves. The Albicastrenses Football Referees Association (NAFA) swiftly condemned the assault.
“We deeply regret that attitudes of this type still occur,” NAFA stated. The association emphasized that such actions “harm not only the normal development of the competition but also the principles of ethics, respect, and sportsmanship that should guide football and all sports.”
NAFA expressed confidence that “the competent entities will act firmly and quickly so that those responsible are duly sanctioned.”
Alcains coach Ricardo Costa, speaking to AduaneSport, did not directly address the incident. However, he stressed the importance of mutual respect.
“To be respected, we must respect ourselves,” Costa said, acknowledging internal responsibility “for any less beautiful act that may have happened.”