Lisbon--Portuguese referees are threatening to boycott the end of the season over unpaid advertising premiums, their association chief Jose Fontelas Gomes told AFP on Wednesday.
Eighty referees from the first and second divisions are "demanding the payment of a sum linked to an advertising agreement" which represents some EUR3,700 ($4,000) each per season, Fontelas Gomes said.
"The league decided this year not to pay it, although it has been paid for the past ten years, even when no sponsor appears on the jersey," he explained.
Angry referees are threatening to boycott the last five matches of the first division, from April 26 to the end of May, if their demands are not met.
Contacted by AFP, league officials refused to comment. But if the situation escalates they could be forced to call on foreign referees.
The Portuguese league has since 2010 been known as the "Liga ZON Sagres" after its main sponsors.
The first division became the "Liga NOS" in February after spending the beginning of the season without a sponsor.
Benfica -- who last season achieved an historic treble of league, Cup and League Cup titles -- are leading the championship with 68 points, ahead of FC Porto (65) and Sporting Lisbon (57).
AFP
