A Portuguese ref criticised for booking Harry Kane during England’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Malta is in mourning after his mum fell into a ravine while taking a holiday selfie.
Fatima Godinho, 62, lost her life after losing her balance as she took snaps on Sao Miguel Island in the Azores.
The tragedy occurred around 1.30pm on Sunday (July 7) in a stunning natural park called Ribeira dos Caldeiroes.
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The Portuguese Association of Football Referees (APAF) said in a statement after learning of the death of the mum of Luis Godinho, sworn in as its General Assembly president in April: “APAF sends a huge hug to the President of the General Assembly, Luis Godinho, and his family for the irreparable loss they have suffered with the death of his mother.
“Our most sincere condolences from the entire refereeing family to Luis and his family.” Local reports said the victim plunged around 65ft by a waterfall.
She was already dead by the time firefighters arrived. It was not immediately clear if she was alone at the time or with friends or family.
Players and fans were left baffled when Godinho booked Kane for simulation during the Three Lions 2-0 win over Malta last November after goalkeeper Henry Bonello fouled him in the box.
The Bayern Munich striker admitted after the match he was “surprised” the decision didn’t get overturned but gracefully added: “Sometimes the VAR doesn’t want to interfere too much but it is what it is. That’s football and it’s part of the game.”
(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)
In the same game Declan Rice had a fantastic goal ruled out to due to Kane supposedly interfering with play from an offside position. In January 2017 father-of-two Godinho made headlines by sending Porto midfielder Danilo off after standing on him.
The bizarre refereeing decision occurred in the 79th minute of Porto’s away trip to Moreirense when the referee was jogging backwards on the field with his eyes focused on the play.
Godinho brought out a second yellow for Danilo and then the red after he knocked into the footballer and interpreted the midfielder’s push to get off him as an act of petulance.
The expulsion decision was branded at the time as one of the absurd ever and left Porto fans calling Godinho the worst referee in the world.
Danilo took to his Instagram account after the match to share his frustration.
He said: “I have seen and reviewed the footage more than a hundred times and honestly I can not understand the criterion of this gentleman to make such a decision.
“I’ve watched many episodes in football but this was undoubtedly the most shameful!”