FPF Opens Case Against FC Porto Over Ball-Boy Delays and Referee Jersey Gifts

The Portugal Football Federation’s Disciplinary Board (FPF-CD) has opened a formal case against FC Porto after the club’s ball-boys were seen stalling play in stoppage time of the latest clásico with Sporting. The file could translate into fines, tighter stadium rules and even match-day suspensions that ordinary supporters will end up paying for in their season tickets.

Why This Matters

• Small incident, real money: A proven infraction costs clubs €500-€1,000 per match—enough to ripple into ticket pricing next season.

• Repeat offenses double the bill: Recurrent misconduct can reach €2,000 and trigger partial-stand closures.

• Ethics spotlight: The routine gift of Porto shirts to the referee team revives the old “voucher” debate on impartiality.

• Fan experience at risk: Extra oversight often brings later kick-off times, longer security checks and stricter rules on stadium props such as flags and flares.

What Triggered the Inquiry?

TV cameras caught at least two ball-boys removing spare balls and tucking them behind advertising boards once Porto broke the deadlock in the 76th minute. Referee Luís Godinho, from the Évora FA, noted the “absence of balls” after the 93-minute mark in his match report. The same report lists a four-minute stoppage earlier in the night when heavy pyrotechnic smoke from the south stand blurred visibility.

Godinho’s words, plus Sporting’s formal complaint, were enough for the FPF-CD to open proceedings under Article 120 – Misconduct by Ball-Boys. The article sets a baseline fine of 5–10 Units of Account (UC). In plain numbers, that is €500-€1,000 for a first offence.

The Rulebook: When Ball-Boys Cross the Line

Portuguese regulations treat ball-boys as an extension of the home club’s staff. If they delay restarts, the club—not the individual minors—pays the price. The deterrent may feel symbolic for a Champions-League side, yet multiple episodes can snowball:

Fine doubled after the second incident within 12 months.

A third strike lets the board impose partial-stand closures or force the match to be played behind closed doors.

Clubs must also cover any broadcast penalties if television schedules are disrupted.

For reference, the last high-profile ball-boy controversy in the Primeira Liga dates back to 2018, when Marítimo faced a €1,200 cumulative bill after back-to-back delays in Funchal.

Gifts, Ethics and the “Voucher” Shadow

Godinho ends his report by noting that each match official received a Porto jersey in the tunnel—described as the club’s “habitual” courtesy. Under the FPF’s ethics code, officials may accept items worth up to €150 if declared to the Referees’ Committee. Shirts typically retail for €90, so the gesture is legal but sensitive.

The episode inevitably revives memories of the 2015 ‘voucher case’, when Benfica’s meal coupons to referees made national headlines before being deemed lawful “hospitality.” Ever since, the Referees’ Committee urges match officials to donate such gifts to charity to avoid any perceived conflict of interest.

Possible Penalties and Timetable

The disciplinary inspector now has up to 30 days to gather footage and testimonies. Porto may:

• Admit wrongdoing and accept a fixed fine, closing the case within a week.

• Contest the charge in writing; the board would then schedule a hearing.

A fast-track confession generally shaves 20 % off the fine, but the club risks higher sanctions if new evidence (e.g., coordinated instructions from staff) surfaces.

What This Means for Residents

For the everyday fan or tax-payer in Portugal, the real-world ripples are easy to overlook but tangible:

• Ticket Costs: Clubs often roll regulatory fines into next season’s budget—expect a few extra euros on premium seats if Porto racks up more penalties.

• Match-Day Routine: Stricter FPF oversight usually produces longer pre-match security queues and possible bans on certain fan gear, especially pyrotechnics.

• Broadcast Timing: Television partners hate delays; future clásicos may start earlier—or under heavier VAR stoppage protocols—to buffer against late-game antics.

• Grassroots Lessons: Local youth tournaments mirror the top-flight rulebook. County-level clubs could face similar penalties if young volunteers mimic what they see on TV.

For now, the Dragão faithful can breathe: no points deduction is on the table, and a modest fine remains the likeliest outcome. But with the title race still neck-and-neck, even a single disciplinary slip can tilt budgets, schedules and, ultimately, the competitive balance that every supporter cares about.