In Lisbon, where the governance of Portuguese football is again under scrutiny, Luciano Gonçalves has rejected allegations that he influenced referee appointments or accepted benefits from clubs. The president of the Portuguese Football Federation’s Arbitration Council issued a detailed denial after police opened an investigation into suspected corruption and influence-peddling.
Gonçalves said he had never reached an arrangement with any club president over the designation of a referee, nor received money from a club. He also denied accepting, or being offered, financial or other rewards, and said no club or club official had paid for his holidays, weekends away, accommodation or personal expenses.
He described the claims as wholly untrue, arguing that they were being driven by an organised campaign, and said he was fully available to provide authorities with any clarification required.
The FPF Arbitration Council responded with institutional and personal backing for its president. In its statement, the body said ongoing proceedings should be handled by the appropriate judicial institutions, with respect for due process and the presumption of innocence rather than public judgment. It added that it had full confidence that the relevant institutions would establish the facts.
An issue that began in June
The controversy first emerged in June, when former international referee Duarte Gomes resigned as the FPF’s technical director of refereeing. His departure followed claims that Gonçalves had interfered with the selection of match officials.
An internal FPF inquiry, which has since been closed because of insufficient evidence, examined allegations that referees had been selected in advance, allegedly at the request of others, for two matches considered crucial to one club’s battle to remain in Portugal’s top division. Portuguese reporting identified that club as Estrela da Amadora.
There was also an allegation that Gonçalves sent a WhatsApp message to a referee who was expected to leave the current season because of his age. The message was said to suggest that the official could continue his career if the club won the match.
Although the federation’s own case was dropped, Portugal’s Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Judicial Police have begun a separate investigation. Gonçalves has maintained an unequivocal denial as that process continues.
