Complaint from Vítor Pereira after controversial incident at the Dragão.

In the heat of the clash between FC Porto and Nottingham Forest, a controversial incident at the Estádio do Dragão triggered a strong complaint from coach Vítor Pereira, placing referee Marco Guida under public scrutiny. This European encounter, officiated by the 44-year-old Italian, was marked by decisions that continue to be the subject of intense debate in Portuguese football.

Marco Guida, assisted by compatriots Giorgio Peretti, Giuseppe Perrotti, and with Matteo Marcenaro as the fourth official, also had the support of video assistant referee Daniele Chiffi and assistant VAR Michael Fabbri, all Italians, to ensure fairness on the pitch. However, a specific incident in the 8th minute sparked controversy: Murillo grabbed Terem Moffi by the shirt outside the penalty area, but the action, despite being clear and persistent, did not result in a penalty because the hold began and ended outside the box. A strict interpretation of Law 12 regarding fouls and misconduct explains that, in such cases, VAR cannot intervene to convert the infraction into a penalty. However, a direct free kick in favor of FC Porto was not awarded, leaving fans and the coaching staff outraged.

The officiating remained strict and disciplined. At 15 minutes, Gabri Veiga received a yellow card for a dangerous challenge from behind on Dan Ndoye, making contact with his heel and sweeping his thighs – a fair punishment for a reckless play. By the 28th minute, a penalty appeal from Nottingham Forest was legitimate and firmly rejected. Chris Wood touched Bednarek’s heel in the Porto area, but the English player’s fall did not constitute a foul.

The match remained tense, and the referee added three minutes of stoppage time at halftime, accounting for two goals, one yellow card, and a substitution during which a FC Porto player required medical assistance.

Upon resuming play, at the 50-minute mark, Nicolás Domínguez committed a reckless challenge on Gabri Veiga, striking the Porto player’s shin. A direct free kick was awarded, but no disciplinary sanction was given, a decision that reinforces the referee’s controlled tolerance line. At 64 minutes, Igor Jesus from Nottingham was involved in a controversial incident when he struck goalkeeper Diogo Costa in the head with his knee, although the referee opted for an indirect free kick for dangerous play. This decision was confirmed by VAR, which disallowed the English goal, preventing a potential disadvantage for the Dragons.

Other moments of contention, such as at 77 minutes, where there was mutual contact using hands, were deemed legal, demonstrating the officiating’s demand to differentiate legitimate plays from infractions.

At the end of the match, five minutes of stoppage time were added due to multiple substitutions and a disallowed goal, with VAR playing a decisive role. In the final moment, in the 90+4 minute, Pablo Rosario attempted to simulate a foul by throwing himself to the ground without any contact, an action that, surprisingly, was not punished with a yellow card, even in the full era of VAR where simulation should be severely reprimanded.

The final assessment of referee Marco Guida was a 6, a rating that reflects a competent performance, although with decisions that sparked controversies and heated discussions, especially regarding the incident of the hold that prompted Vítor Pereira’s complaint.

This match highlights how officiating remains one of the most sensitive topics in modern football, where the interpretation of rules, the use of VAR, and the pressure of decisive moments can make all the difference between glory and frustration. FC Porto and their fans are now demanding clear answers and, above all, justice so that controversial episodes do not tarnish a performance that could have had a different outcome.

This article first appeared on [Apito Final](https://apitofinal.pt/).