PORTUGUESE giants Benfica could be hit with a three-month stadium ban and a fine after they threatened to refuse to host Portugal national team matches.
Benfica issued a remarkable statement targeting the standard of officiating across Portuguese club competition last month, risking backlash from the Portuguese Footballing Federation (FPF).
GettyBenfica face a three month stadium ban[/caption]
The club have threatened to deny Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese national team access to their stadium amid complaints about officiating in PortugalShutterstock Editorial
The Champions League club lashed out at “serious events” in the late rounds of the Portuguese Cup and Liga Portugal season that saw them miss out on both trophies to Sporting Lisbon.
Benfica’s statement requested disciplinary reviews against VAR officials from the Portuguese Cup final and the immediate release of audio recordings from the match.
While they also detailed that they would inform the FPF that they will not host national team matches at the Estadio da Luz “until integrity prevails in domestic competitions” – barring Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates from the ground.
That vow could prove costly to the two-time Champions League winners, who face a ban and a fine if they follow through with the threat.
That’s because FPF rules state that any club that refuses to make their stadium available to the national team “without justified cause” will be subject to a penalty.
That penalty consists of a stadium ban running from one to three months and fine.
At present no action has been taken against Benfica.
Benfica narrowly missed out on the Primeira Liga title by two points following a 1-1 draw with Braga on the final day of the season.
Benfica’s requests
Take a look at the action that Benfica have requested is taken following their complaint about officiating in Portugal…
To request disciplinary review against the refereeing and VAR team of the Cup Final.
To request disciplinary review against players Matheus Reis and Maxi Araújo for the multiple attacks on player Andrea Belotti.
Demand the immediate release of the audio recordings between the Referee and VAR from the Portuguese Cup Final, as well as the scores given to them.
Make a statement to FIFA, UEFA and IFAB regarding the illicit application of the VAR protocol in Portugal, which has called into question integrity.
Demand that the newly elected Refereeing Council take a public position, presenting concrete measures and solutions to correct its actions, under penalty of not being able to continue in office.
Suspend participation in the Centralisation League working groups and request an urgent hearing with the Government, informing it that, at this time, the conditions to move forward with this process are not being met.
Inform the Portuguese Football Federation that, until integrity prevails in domestic competitions, Sport Lisboa e Benfica will be unavailable to host matches of the National Team in its stadium. Sport Lisboa e Benfica demands that the next season be decided on the pitch, in a transparent manner, which did not happen in the sports season that is now finished. We always assume our responsibilities. We demand that those who oversee and govern Portuguese football also assume theirs.
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While they fell to a controversial 3-1 defeat to Sporting in the Potuguese Cup final too, conceding in the 11th minute of injury time before shipping two more goals in extra-time.
Club president Rui Costa slammed the officials after the conclusion of the cup final.
He said: “Benfica lost, I accept that responsibility, but we have to look at Portuguese football. We definitely have to look at Portuguese football.”
Adding: “So, let those in charge of refereeing, let those in charge of the referees analyse this game and see how a VAR that can cancel out two situations for Benfica can’t see two plays like this.
“He’s probably going to be rewarded now and become the leader of VAR in Portugal, which is an extraordinary thing.
“I repeat: you’ve rarely heard me talk about referees, but there are situations that go beyond that. I’ve tried, I’ve tried to be a president of an institution the size of Benfica that is responsible and tries to help Portuguese football in this regard.
“But there are situations that go beyond all limits, because these aren’t mistakes that we should be discussing here: whether it was a foul, whether it wasn’t a foul, whether it was a penalty, whether it wasn’t a penalty.
“We’re talking about two clear, obvious assaults, not seen either by the linesman, who was standing next to the play, or by the referee, or by the VAR.”
Benfica are currently preparing for the Club World Cup.
GettyClub President Rui Costa didn’t hold back in his assessment of the Portuguese officials[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
