[cgiapp] Help with m// needed

[Lou Hernsen]

I am trying to match
French
in the string
French:6:47
The code is

if ($PFile{Allied} =~ m/$Port/)

and the actual vars would be

if (French =~ m/French:6:47/)

and there should be a match!!!!
but 

but it doesn't work.. and I don't see why.... 
I have used m// before the never had this problem...

Help? thanks
Lou
Perl is my HOBBY... just something to keep my mind sharp.