FPF Justice Council archives inquiry into Refereeing Council President Luciano Gonçalves

Published Jul 24, 09:23 AM UTC

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The Justice Council of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has archived an inquiry process opened against Luciano Gonçalves, president of the Refereeing Council, citing a lack of sufficient evidence of a disciplinary infraction. The investigation was triggered by a complaint from Duarte Gomes, former National Technical Director of Refereeing, who alleged that a referee shared sensitive information with him that raised institutional concerns. The council found no proof that Gonçalves prematurely disclosed referee appointments or that his messages aimed to influence match results or promise benefits. Witnesses including referees Hélder Malheiro and Fábio Veríssimo, as well as Gonçalves and Gomes, were heard during the process.

Source report

The Justice Council of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) announced this Friday that it has archived the inquiry process opened against Luciano Gonçalves due to "lack of sufficient evidence of disciplinary infraction."

Background of the Case

The case involved an investigation into the "possible commission of a disciplinary infraction" by Luciano Gonçalves, president of the Refereeing Council. The inquiry followed a complaint by Duarte Gomes, who, after resigning from his position as National Technical Director of Refereeing, alleged that a referee had shared with him:

"A set of information that, due to its content and sensitivity, raised very significant institutional concerns."

Findings of the Justice Council

In the report released today, the Justice Council stated that it was not possible to prove that:

Luciano Gonçalves had prematurely disclosed referee appointments
Some messages sent by him to other refereeing agents aimed to influence sporting results or promise certain benefits

Witnesses Heard

During the process, several witnesses were heard, including:

Referee Hélder Malheiro
Referee Fábio Veríssimo
Luciano Gonçalves himself
Duarte Gomes

Content shown outside its original language is machine translated; summaries may also be condensed.

Source

RecordRegional

Original headline: <![CDATA[ Processo de inquérito a Luciano Gonçalves arquivado pelo Conselho de Justiça da FPF ]]>

Original language: PT-PT

Part of this Story

Portuguese refereeing crisis escalates after Duarte Gomes resignation

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