FC Porto has been fined €10,200 by the Disciplinary Council (CD) of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) for the removal of match balls from near the pitch during the February classic against Sporting. This decision, announced on Thursday, condemns the Porto SAD for a serious violation of sporting regulations.

The FPF CD's condemnation is based on the "violation of norms" related to the "multi-ball system," considering the "injury to the Principle of Sporting Ethics" and the "serious damage to the image of competitions organized" by the Portuguese Professional Football League (LPFP). The entity emphasized the seriousness of the infraction committed by the Dragons.

In addition to the fine imposed on the club, FC Porto's field director, Marco André Gonçalves Paiva, was also punished. He received a fine of €1,530 for "violation of duties provided" in the LPFP competition regulations, highlighting individual responsibility in the incident.

The incident occurred in the classic of the 21st matchday of the I Liga, played on February 9 at the Estádio do Dragão, which ended in a 1-1 draw. In the final minutes of that match, television broadcast showed that the balls that should have been available near the sidelines of the field were removed by the ball boys, generating controversy.

One day after the match, Sporting filed a formal complaint with the FPF CD. The complaint targeted not only the removal of the balls but also other situations allegedly occurred, such as "arbitration conditioning," "suggestively decorated changing rooms," and "altered access routes to changing rooms," which could facilitate staff contact with FC Porto fans.

The Lisbon club also criticized "manipulated air conditioning," "stands conditioned with banners and sound columns," and the actions of "ball boys manipulated to hide match balls and remove the towels of Sporting's goalkeeper," Rui Silva. These accusations paint a picture of alleged attempts to influence the course of the match.