Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho has issued a strong call for improved officiating ahead of Pompey’s crucial remaining EFL Championship fixtures, highlighting what he described as one of the most embarrassing refereeing decisions the club has faced in recent weeks.
Speaking before a defining run of matches in the 2026 season, Mousinho pointed to a controversial decision that he believes unfairly cost Portsmouth valuable points in their push up the table. While stopping short of directly attacking match officials, the Pompey boss made it clear that repeated errors cannot continue if the integrity of the competition is to be protected.
Mousinho stressed that Portsmouth players and supporters deserve consistency, particularly in high-stakes matches where every point could shape promotion hopes or survival ambitions. He urged the EFL and refereeing authorities to review recent incidents and introduce stronger accountability to prevent similar mistakes from happening again.
“This is not about excuses,” Mousinho reportedly said. “It’s about fairness. Clubs work too hard all season to have outcomes decided by avoidable officiating errors.”
The comments have sparked debate among supporters, many of whom feel Portsmouth have been on the wrong end of several contentious calls. With the season entering a decisive stage, Mousinho’s message is clear: protect the game, improve standards, and ensure Pompey are judged only by footballing merit.
