Portuguese football club Sporting CP announced it would file a disciplinary complaint after a referee accused rival FC Porto of applying undue pressure, escalating a controversy over alleged attempts to influence match officials.
Sporting issued a statement Tuesday condemning any efforts to “condition, influence or pressure referees or other sports agents.” The club stated such actions “stain the credibility of competitions.”
This strong rebuke followed reports on Monday detailing an accusation made by referee Fábio Veríssimo. Veríssimo reportedly alleged that FC Porto had exerted pressure.
Sporting confirmed it would present a formal complaint to the Disciplinary Council. The complaint aims to “ascertain the truth and all those responsible.”
The club demanded that “competent entities act implacably” to investigate the matter. They called for the application of “sanctions that are imposed, without exceptions or complacency.”
Sporting emphasized it would not accept “the return to a football of backrooms and pressures.” The club also rejected the idea of “disguising old practices with a new institutional appearance.”
Sporting’s statement highlighted that such grave facts could constitute a disciplinary infraction. These infractions are “punishable by disqualification or defeat under the regulations.”