Strasbourg court condemns Portugal over sanctions against FC Porto officials

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled against Portugal in a case concerning disproportionate sanctions imposed on FC Porto officials for criticizing the country's refereeing system. The Strasbourg-based court found that Portugal violated Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects freedom of expression.

The case stemmed from sanctions levied in 2017 by the Portuguese Football Federation's disciplinary board against club officials. These sanctions included fines ranging from 459 to 15,300 euros and temporary suspensions. The officials had publicly criticized the overall refereeing system, with some alleging bribery by rival clubs and manipulation of match results to benefit Benfica.

While the ECHR dismissed parts of the claims, deeming accusations of manipulation and corruption as exceeding admissible criticism, it ruled that other sanctions were unjust. The court stated that referees and arbitral bodies can withstand broader criticism than ordinary citizens and must tolerate severe critiques, even those delivered with a hostile tone.

Consequently, the ECHR ordered Portugal to pay FC Porto €15,300 in damages and €6,465 in costs and expenses. The complaint was initially filed by the club's former director of communications, Francisco José de Carvalho Marques, and the club's president, Jorge Nuno Lima Pinto da Costa (whose widow continued the proceedings after his death in 2025), along with FC Porto itself.

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referees and arbitral bodies can be the subject of criticism within wider limits than apply to ordinary citizens and must therefore accept severe criticism, even if the tone employed is hostile.