The leader of the ‘reds’ stated that Portuguese football “is sick” and announced that the club will request a hearing from the Arbitration Council, also criticizing the ‘ghost corner’ that gave Sporting the victory on Saturday, in the Azores.
The president of Benfica, Rui Costa, stated on Sunday that Portuguese football “is sick” and considered the penalty awarded in favor of Casa Pia, in the 11th round of the Primeira Liga, “inadmissible”.
“What happened this weekend is further proof of how sick our Portuguese football is. What happened here today is unacceptable, once again,” he said, speaking to journalists in the mixed area of Estádio da Luz, in Lisbon.
At issue, according to Rui Costa, is the play that led to Casa Pia’s first goal, at a stage in which Benfica was winning 2-0, but which in which the ball hits António Silva’s belly and rebounds onto his arm, one day after a “ghost corner” gave rival Sporting the victory.
“We will ask for a clear hearing from those who run Portuguese football and the Arbitration Council. What is happening is too serious. Two points were given to one team and two points were taken from another team. This is how championships are won. It is too serious and Benfica cannot remain silent. This is not my way of being, but enough is enough”, stressed the president, recently elected for a second term.
Assuring that the team will not escape its responsibilities for its performance, Rui Costa reinforced the idea that the laws of the game “are very clear” and that the video referee is “very questionable” [VAR] not reverse the game judge’s decision.
“We don’t run away from our responsibilities and I never allow the team to run away from its responsibility. It has to want more, much more, but it is unacceptable for a penalty to be given in this way, which reopens the game and is against the law. It is not a doubtful situation, it is against the law, which is very clear. The referee may even analyze it badly, but the VAR cannot. There are already many cases like this against Benfica”, he assumed.
Remembering several times the move that, at 90+4, gave the ‘lions’ a 2-1 victory, at Santa Clara, following a corner kick that was a goal kick, Rui Costa concluded by apologizing to the Benfica fans on an important day.
“We didn’t play the game we wanted to play. It was a very important day in Benfica’s history and the Benfica fans deserved to leave Luz with another joy. My apologies for that too, but enough of that. I’m not here to discuss whether it’s a penalty or not, I’m here to discuss the law. These are two very flagrant cases”, said the director.
With LUSA
