Referees José Bessa, João Gonçalves and Cláudio Pereira were excluded from appointments by the Arbitration Council of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) after failing the physical tests. The information was confirmed to the Portuguese news agency by the source connected to the process.
The exclusion means that these three referees cannot be appointed to officiate matches in competitions organized by the FPF until they pass the aforementioned mandatory physical tests again.
The Arbitration Council of the FPF is the body responsible for evaluating and appointing referees for football matches in Portugal, with physical tests being a fundamental requirement for their eligibility.
This situation arises at a time when Portuguese refereeing has been subject to greater public scrutiny, with physical tests serving as a barrier to entry and maintenance in the profession.
