---

June 16, 2023

Porto Seeks to Invalidate Liga Draw After Cell Phone VAR Check – Primeira Liga

FC Porto has officially requested the annulment of their home league draw against Arouca, which occurred on Sunday. The club’s concerns are primarily focused on the referee’s controversial decision to utilize a mobile phone while reviewing a potential penalty during the match. This instance has sparked a broader discussion regarding the protocols surrounding video assistant referee (VAR) checks and the tools deemed acceptable for referees during critical game situations.

The implications of this action have raised significant questions about the integrity and reliability of the officiating process in professional football. FC Porto firmly believes that using a mobile device in such a pivotal moment undermines the standards expected in the sport, potentially compromising fair play. The club’s call for annulment underscores their commitment to ensuring that all matches are conducted under the highest professional standards, free from any ambiguity that could arise from unconventional practices.

With Arouca leading 1-0 as the match approached its final moments, referee Miguel Nogueira made a pivotal decision to award a penalty to Porto, which necessitated a VAR review to ensure the correctness of the call. This moment was crucial for Porto, as a successful conversion could change the game’s outcome. Nogueira was subsequently summoned to the pitch-side monitor to assess the situation further.

However, complications arose when he needed help communicating with the VAR hub, raising concerns among players and fans. The inability to establish effective communication at such a critical juncture not only delayed the decision but also added an element of uncertainty to the proceedings. This incident has prompted discussions about the reliability of the VAR system and its operational protocols during high-stakes moments in matches.

After a prolonged delay that left players and fans in suspense, referee Miguel Nogueira was provided with a mobile phone to facilitate communication with the VAR officials. This unconventional approach highlighted the difficulties faced during the review process as he struggled to obtain precise information regarding the incident. Despite the lack of visual evidence on the monitor, which would typically guide a referee’s decision, Nogueira reversed his initial ruling.

This decision, resulting in no penalty being awarded to Porto, sparked immediate reactions from both the players and supporters. Many questioned the validity of the process, given the absence of visual confirmation and the reliance on a mobile phone for such a critical call. The incident underscored the complexities and potential flaws within the VAR system, leaving doubts about its effectiveness and the officiating standards in high-pressure situations.

The Refereeing Council of Portugal’s Football Federation has attributed the VAR delay to a power failure at Porto’s Dragão Stadium. This explanation was intended to clarify the circumstances surrounding the contentious decision-making process during the match.

However, FC Porto has strongly refuted this claim, insisting that the issue stemmed from human error on the part of the VAR technicians rather than any electrical malfunction. This disagreement has fueled further debate over the reliability of the officiating and the technology used in critical moments of the game.

The Portuguese giants assert that the issue was caused by human error by the VAR technicians, who neglected to connect the cable from the stadium’s power source to the VAR equipment.

“This fact was acknowledged by the Altice technicians themselves when they replaced the equipment, which was then supported by the stadium’s power,” a statement indicated.

Porto has requested that the Portuguese league annul Sunday’s result because of “a misconduct by the refereeing team.”

“Nogueira’s action constitutes a violation of the rules of the game and an error of law with a potential serious impact on the outcome of the match,”

The match concluded with a 1-1 draw. Evanilson scored a dramatic equalizer just three minutes after Porto’s Henderson Galeno had his penalty saved.