“Arbitrage closed, not because it wants to, but to defend itself”

Dthe former president of FPF’s Arbitration Council said that it is necessary to “create a positive environment around arbitration”, even for there to be “younger people in arbitration, with quality”.

“[Arbitrage] He has tried to do some pedagogy, but it has been taken to more negative moments. Therefore, arbitration has closed again, not because it wants to, but to defend itself from noise, like any other activity. If people want to know how arbitration works, it is very positive, but everyone has to want to ", took over.

José Fontelas Gomes assures that “the referees are prepared” to explain their decisions, but that this explanation will not be taken “in a positive way”, so “at this moment” is not “still the way to take”.

“ We must follow what UEFA and FIFA are doing. I think that if there is a positive climate, in which the arbitrator's explanation is not taken in a negative way, the possibility of explaining his decision is positive. More than that is creating noise and referees need calm. If explaining a decision will still create more noise, then it is not positive ", said.

For the president of the Portuguese Association of Football Arbitrators (APAF), José Borges, “the explanation of the referee’s decision was beneficial, but people abroad need to understand”.

On the issue of professionalism, José Fontelas Gomes says that “it is one of the projects in progress”, with “an external entity that rotates arbitration”, ensuring that there is a working group, with APAF, the League of clubs and district associations.

According to the leader, FPF wants this measure implemented “as soon as possible”, admitting that “it will be the future of arbitration”.