FIFA Referee Jorge Sousa threatened by Benfica fans

Portuguese referee Jorge Sousa, who recently refereed his second League Cup final, Benfica – Gil Vicente, feels now relieved. The case of the threats he received from Benfica fans during the last two years came to an end. Out of seven defendants, six were found guilty and convicted by the court for home violation and aggravated injury by terrorizing the referee for several months, while one was acquitted.

"Be careful how you referee!" or "We know what you did and where you live!" were some of the messages that Jorge Sousa began receiving in November 2009 before the match Braga – Benfica (2-0). After the game, they followed up with several new SMS and phone calls with death threats to the referee, which prompted the complaint. After a quiet period, the fans started again. On 18 March 2010, the day he was appointed to referee Benfica – Porto (0-3) in the League Cup final, Jorge Sousa began to receive anonymous phone calls and SMS. In the mailbox, he found an unsigned manuscript, in which he was required to quit refereeing. The panel of judges considered the threats as evidence that caused terror and influenced the professional performance of the referee Sousa. The defendants were charged with home violation and had to pay compensation to Jorge Sousa. Two fans, Luis Marques and Rui Franco, were also found responsible for aggravated injury and have to pay heavier penalties - fines of 880 euros, respectively 1080 euros. The remaining defendants, Hugo Silva, Jose Sousa, Antonio Vieira and Tomas Lima, have to pay fines between 480 and 540 euros each.

Source: CM